The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony has been pushed back due to the ongoing pandemic from Feb. 28 to April 25. This has also altered the Oscars eligibility period for feature films, which has been extended to Feb. 28, 2021.
Other deadlines have changed as well. The deadline for the general entry categories is now Jan. 15, 2021, and the deadline for specialty categories is now Dec. 1, 2020. The Oscar shortlist voting will run from February 1-5, nomination voting will run from March 5-10, and final voting will run from April 15-20.
The Academy's Scientific and Technical Awards presentation has been postponed for a date that will be determined later, while the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will open a few days before the Oscars on April 17 to a limited audience. It will fully open to the public on April 30.
Academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement, "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. 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."
"I speak for all of us at the Museum when I say that we have been eagerly awaiting the moment when we can share the Academy Museum with movie lovers everywhere. With the unprecedented and devastating pandemic happening around the world and our commitment first and foremost to the health and safety of our visitors and staff, we have made the difficult decision to wait a few more months to open our doors. Thankfully, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, exhibitions continue to be installed. We look forward to April 2021 when Los Angeles and the world will be able to join together as the Academy celebrates the Oscars and the opening of its long-dreamed-of Museum," said Academy Museum director Bill Kramer.
Karey Burke, ABC Entertainment's president, commented on the Oscars, saying, "We find ourselves in uncharted territory this year and will continue to work with our partners at the Academy to ensure next year's show is a safe and celebratory event that also captures the excitement of the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures."
Below is the list of key dates for the 93rd Academy Awards and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures:
Preliminary voting begins
Monday, February 1, 2021
Preliminary voting ends
Friday, February 5, 2021
Oscar Shortlists Announcement
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Nominations voting begins
Friday, March 5, 2021
Nominations voting ends
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Oscar Nominations Announcement
Monday, March 15, 2021
Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Finals voting begins
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Museum Gala
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Finals voting ends
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Oscars
Sunday, April 25, 2021
