Yesterday saw both the Academy and BAFTA announce that both awards ceremonies have been postponed until April 2021.
Postponing the awards was the latest move from the industry in light of the COVID-19 pandemic having such a major impact on theatrical releases worldwide.
The Oscars will now take place on April 25th having moved from its February 28th slot.
“For over a century, movies have played an 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,” Academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement. “This coming Oscars and the opening of our new museum will mark a historic moment, gathering movie fans around the world to unite through cinema.”
Eligibility rules to extend the release dates had also recently been. A feature film must now have a qualifying release date between Jan. 1, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021.
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Following in quick suit, BAFTA also made their announcement to postpone their awards by moving the ceremony from February 14th to April 11th, two weeks before the Oscars.
“This change from the previously announced date of Feb. 14 acknowledges the impact of the global pandemic and accommodates an extended eligibility period. Further details on the ceremony will be announced later in the year,” said BAFTA in a statement on Monday evening.
