American Cinema Editors (ACE) has tweaked its eligibility rules for the upcoming awards season and will accept submissions from YouTube and other digital platforms across existing categories.
The change comes, ACE said on Wednesday morning, in “response to the evolving media landscape and its support for the creative work emerging across both traditional and digital spaces”.
Additionally, there will be a new award presented for best edited short, with eligible submissions hailing from theatrical shorts, short-from content made for digital platforms, and narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental works.
ACE is considering aligning the maximum run time with the Academy’s 40-minute standard and expects to provide an update on its website before the next submission window.
The group also said it will present YouTube with the ACE Visionary Award at the 76th Annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 27, 2026.
“YouTube has radically expanded the boundaries of who can tell stories and how those stories reach audiences,” said Anita Brandt-Burgoyne, ACE, chair of the blue ribbon committee. “This award celebrates its role in democratising visual storytelling and inspiring a new generation of editors.”
“This is not about catching up to a trend,” said ACE executive director Jenni McCormick said of the changes. “It’s about planting our flag and saying: ACE is committed to leading the way into what’s next – without ever losing sight of where we came from.”
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