Oscars postponed by two months to give film-makers extra time

THE 2021 Oscars ceremony has been postponed by two months.

Organisers said the event in Los Angeles, which had been scheduled for Feb 28, will now be held April 25.

David Rubin, president of the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said: “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 awards date, is to provide the flexibility film-makers need to finish and release their films.”

With cinemas closed, film release dates pushed back, and festivals such as Cannes, cancelled, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in April made the unprecedented decision to allow films without a cinema release to be eligible for the awards.

Oscars nominations will now be announced on March 15, and the nominees’ luncheon will be on April 15.

The Academy has still not yet addressed whether the 93rd Oscars ceremony will be virtual or in-person.

The Oscars ceremony has been delayed three times before, but never this far in advance.

It was delayed for a week because of flooding in Los Angeles in 1938.

In 1968, it was delayed two days following the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

And in 1981, it was put off for 24 hours after Ronald Reagan was shot.

‘Movies have played an important role in inspiring and entertaining us during the darkest of times’