The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science has postponed the 2021’s Oscars to 25 April.
As cinemas are mostly closed across the world and new film releases are paused due to Covid-19 pandemic the decision was made.
The eligibility period has also changed from the end of December to the end of February.
The Academy president, David Rubin, and chief executive, Dawn Hudson said in a statement that the decision was made to “provide the flexibility film-makers need to finish and release their films without being penalized”. They also added that “for over a century, movies have played an important role in comforting, inspiring, and entertaining us during the darkest of times”.
The delay also will postpone the Academy’s museum inauguration. Now it will take place in April. The project cost around $482m.
The Academy announced earlier this month a new set of procedures to boost equity and inclusion initiatives. A team has been created to ensure new representation, inclusion and diversity. Another change is that from 2022 the best picture category will have 10 movies rather than a fluctuating number from year to year.
Another news is that streaming films, without a theatrical release, will be eligible for the first time as long as big-screen releases have been planned.
The film industry has been heavily impacted by Coronavirus. The last movie to have its release pushed back was Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. Now its premiere will be on July 31st.
Some of the movies expected to appear at next year’s Oscars include Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Aretha Franklin’s biopic Respect and Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy based on JD Vance’s memoir.
