Emmy Rules Changes Set For Short-Form Categories, Guest Performer Qualifications & More For 2024 Awards

The Television Academy has announced rules changes for the 76th Emmy Awards. They include combining several short form categories due to a decline in admissions over the past five years, redefining qualifications for guest performers and expanding recognition of behind-the-scenes professionals. 

Here are details on the changes approved by the Academy’s Board of Governors for the 2024 Emmys.

Adjusted Short Form Animated Program and Short Form Performer Categories

Short Form Animated Program: This category has been combined with the Animated Program category and two tracks have been created, one for short form programs (between 2 – 20 minutes) and one for all other programming (over 20 minutes).

Short Form Performer Categories: Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series and Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series have been combined into one category – Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.

New Rule for Guest Performer Categories

Guest Performers are defined as appearing in less than 50% of all eligible series episodes. To ensure that a guest performer’s role is significant to the episode being submitted, the following rule has been added for Guest Performer categories: “The minimum stand-alone and contiguous-screen time (performer has an ongoing engagement in the scene, on or off camera) for eligibility is 5% of the total running time of the submitted episode.” 

Line Producers to Receive Eligible Credit for Documentary/Nonfiction Categories

“Line Producer” has been added as an Emmy-eligible credit on Documentary/ Nonfiction Specials, Documentary/Nonfiction Series and Hosted Nonfiction Programs.

Head of Workroom to Receive Eligible Credit for Costume Design

Head of Workroom (AKA Cutter/Fitter) has been added as an Emmy-eligible title. Their eligibility will be determined by the designer. Contribution to the project will be weighed on a percentage basis as is done for all other positions. Verification will be made by call sheet, deal memo and designer input. Those eligible must be individuals, rather than a costume house or facility. However, the head of a facility workroom may be considered. 

Changes to Hairstyling and Makeup Categories

Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program and Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program categories now only have panels to prescreen the submissions for nominations. The full peer group votes in the final round to determine who receives an Emmy Award. Previously, these were juried awards.

The Academy’s complete new Emmy Rules and Procedures Handbook will be available online on Monday, Jan. 29. Submissions for the 76th Emmy Awards will open on Thursday, Feb. 29.