As the world still adjusts and prepares for the aftermath of the global coronavirus pandemic, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony will be pushed back from February 28 to March 23, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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In addition to the two-month delay of the annual awards ceremony, the Academy has also announced that the eligibility period for films to earn nominations will be extended from its original December 31 expiration date to February 28, 2021. This announcement marks the fourth time the Oscars has been delayed, with 1938’s ceremony delayed due to LA flooding, 1968’s due to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and 1981’s due to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Regan.
In an official statement, the Academy confirmed the next Oscars ceremony will still be held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood and “will air live on ABC,” apparently changing the previously proposed pre-taped or virtual gathering, while still emphasizing “the intent going forward is to ultimately return to awarding excellence for films released in the January-December calendar year.“
Though the submission deadline for films in general entry categories has normally been January 1, the Academy has pushed next year’s to January 15, 2021 while moving the submission deadline for specialty categories, including best animated feature, international feature amongst others to December 1, 2020. The shortlist voting will now run from February 1 through February 5, with nomination voting now running from March 5-10 and announced on March 15 and final voting from April 15-20.
“I speak for all of us at the Museum when I say that we have been eagerly awaiting the moment when we can share the Academy Museum with movie lovers everywhere,” Academy Museum director Bill Kramer said in a statement. “With the unprecedented and devastating pandemic happening around the world and our commitment first and foremost to the health and safety of our visitors and staff, we have made the difficult decision to wait a few more months to open our doors. Thankfully, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, exhibitions continue to be installed. We look forward to April 2021 when Los Angeles and the world will be able to join together as the Academy celebrates the Oscars and the opening of its long-dreamed-of Museum.“
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The delay in the ceremony marks another major announcement for the Oscars after the Academy announced earlier this year that they had changed the rules to allow films given a streaming debut in the wake of theater closures a chance at earning nominations in general categories.
