The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering postponing the 93rd annual Oscars, according to Variety.
The sources, who spoke on the anonymously to Variety, said plans are not official and the plan is still set for a ceremony on February 28, 2021, on ABC.
This news comes after temporary rule changes for Oscars eligibility, which were announced in April due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic.
A film must have a seven-day theatrical release in Los Angeles County to qualify for Oscar eligibility. As for now, films released digitally and can qualify if the studio had planned on a theatrical release.
“I think everyone is sympathetic to the filmmakers' plight and we're here to support our members and the film community,” Academy President David Rubin told Variety. “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 theaters are not open so great film work can be seen and celebrated.”
At this time, it is unknown if postponing the Oscars will mean the Academy will allow films released after the deadline will qualify for the 2021 Oscars.
In relevant news, what will the future of filmmaking look like in this post Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic world?
In a recent interview with Campaign Live, Tim Ayers, the CEO of Hogarth North America, a global creative production company, discusses what the new standard will look like on sets. Ayers said there is a new possibility for virtual production sets, sterilized cameras, filming inside talents' homes, CGI, synthetic actors, and casting talent from around the world.
Ayers is working for a major company with thousands of employees across 30 different offices around the world. In the interview, he discussed how filmmaking would change for the better.
