Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences considers postponing the 2021 Oscars

With film production across the globe crawling at snail's pace, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is set to postpone the prestigious Oscar awards for 2021. According to a report in Variety magazine, several sources have confirmed that the academy is contemplating postponing the awards ceremony in view of the uncertainty about the post-COVID-19 scenario.

Earlier reports had suggested that the academy may opt to allow digital releases to be nominated owing to the exceptional circumstances.

Variety.com quoted academy president David Rubin saying, "It’s impossible to know what the landscape will be." Rubin added, "We know we want to celebrate film, but we do not know exactly what form it will take.”

The report quoted an unnamed source saying the event may be delayed.

Currently, the rules state that films must be released before 31 December in theatres for a limited period to qualify for the awards. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the globe and lockdowns in many parts of the world delaying production work and releases, the academy decided this year to also consider films that are released digitally.

The Academy awards is not the only major entertainment awards event that is facing uncertain times. The Emmy awards have shuffled their last dates, while the theatrical Tony awards are reportedly considering cancellation for the upcoming year.