By Tribune Staff
NASHVILLE, TN — The coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has caused many 2020 events to be cancelled, and now it’s also having an impact on 2021 ceremonies. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday that they were delaying but not cancelling the 93rd Academy Awards telecast. Instead, they are postponing the 2021 Oscars for two months. They will now be held April 25, 2021 rather than the customary February date. The announcement was initially reported in Variety. They had previously been first in reporting that there was a possibility the Oscars might be delayed due to virus concerns. This was first mentioned in May, and it has now become a reality.
Academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson issued a statement. “For over a century, movies have played in important role in comforting, inspiring, and entertaining us during the darkest of times. They certainly have this year. Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalized for something beyond anyone’s control. This coming Oscars and the opening of our new museum will mark an historic moment, gathering movie fans around the world to unite through cinema.”
The Academy also announced that the Governors Awards gala, which takes place in the fall, has been postponed to a later unspecified date. The December opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will now take place in April to coincide with the Oscars. There are also more efforts underway to expand and increase diversity in the Academy, and hopefully get more opportunity for minorities in all ends of filmmaking.
