The Oscars 2021 Pushed To April 25, BAFTA Awards On April 11

Every year we look forward to February for the Oscars. But due to ongoing pandemic, fans will now have to wait till April 2021 for the next round of the award ceremony. Yes, you heard it right. The Oscars 2021 will now happen on April 25, postponed from February 28, 2021, officials have confirmed.

It's true! Next year's #Oscars will happen on April 25, 2021.

Here's what else you need to know:

- The eligibility period for the Oscars will be extended to February 28, 2021
- Nominations will be announced on March 15, 2021
- @AcademyMuseum will open on April 30, 2021 pic.twitter.com/cTsqOfsf8k

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) June 15, 2020

The board had a Zoom meeting on Monday and discussed the new date. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has changed the 93rd Academy Awards date from February 28 to April 25. Following which the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) has also announced its new date, on April 11, exactly two weeks before the Oscars.

What You Should Know

• The 2021 Oscars are delayed until April 25. It was previously scheduled for February 28.
• BAFTA has now been moved to April 11, 2021, to align with the Oscars. 
• Originally, the 2021 BAFTAs were going to take place on February 14.
• Films released on streaming platforms when cinemas are closed will be eligible for BAFTAs.

New Rules for This Year

The pandemic has affected the movie industry more severely than we anticipated. With most films deciding to go for OTT release, major productions still intend theatrical release. “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,” said Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson in a joint statement. However, these changed rules are implemented “to ensure that titles which had an intended theatrical release are not penalised due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on cinemas," BAFTA said in a statement

Also Read: Hollywood Celebs Launch Project To Fight Sexual Harassment

We are announcing temporary changes to our film eligibility rules for the 2021 #EEBAFTAs in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic which resulted in UK cinemas closing on 20 March. Next year’s Film Awards will now be held on Sunday 11 April. https://t.co/oOKkyf9b5e

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) June 16, 2020

Marc Samuelson, Chair of the Film Committee, said "We have pushed back by two months to give all films the best possible chance to be released and considered properly."

"As cinemas gradually re-open we know that the major releases will dominate screens."

In 2020, BAFTA and the Oscars were held in February. Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor award for Joker and Renee Zellweger took home Best Actress award for Judy. For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. Feature films are now eligible for the nomination till February 28, 2021.

READ: Women-Centric Films We Are Eagerly Wanting To Watch

Feature Image Credit: The Pioneer

Read More Stories By Ria Das