Main image via Variety + Oscars
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many movies, series, concerts and events have been put on hold or postponed to help stop the spread of the virus.
Now, the Film Academy is considering postponing the upcoming Oscars as well.
via GIPHY
Even though the 93rd Academy Awards is not until 28th February 2021, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is already considering postponing the big awards night.
According to sources, “definitive plans are far from being concrete at this juncture,” Variety reports.
“It’s likely they’ll be postponed,” a source close to the matter noted.
Image via NPR
However, details including potential new dates, have not been fully discussed or formally proposed just yet, said the source.
Back in April, new temporary rule changes for Oscar eligibility were announced and Academy president David Rubin told Variety that it was too soon to know how the 2021 Oscars telecast could change in the wake of the pandemic.
“It’s impossible to know what the landscape will be,” he said. “We know we want to celebrate film but we do not know exactly what form it will take.”
Image via Metro
The old rules of Oscars eligibility stated that a movie must have a seven-day theatrical release in Los Angeles County to qualify.
But due to the closure of cinemas all around the world, the Academy noted that movies released digitally can qualify if the studio had originally planned a theatrical release.
“I think everyone is sympathetic to the filmmakers’ plight and we’re here to support our members and the film community,” David said. “It makes sense when we don’t really know what’s to come in terms of the availability of theatrical exhibition. … We need to make allowances for this year only and during this time when theatres are not open so great film work can be seen and celebrated.”
via GIPHY
At the moment, it’s still unclear if postponing the Oscars will also mean that the Academy will allow films released after the year-end deadline to qualify for the 2021 Oscars.
This definitely seems like an appropriate move in light of the current state of the world. While nothing has been set in stone just yet, we’ll keep you updated as we go along.
Do you think the Oscars should be postponed? Let us know your thoughts!
In the meantime, stay home if you can, stay safe and stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19
Info via Variety