In today’s world events and gatherings being postponed is nothing new.  One of my favorite events, Stage Time Live, has been postponed from March to June and now will be held in August.  Personal events, such as weddings and graduations have been put off down the calendar as well. 

Directly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned.  The powers that be are looking ahead and already postponing next year’s ceremony! 

We’re all adjusting to a world we never knew we’d have to, but change and adaption are historical.  Companies like Blockbuster and Netflix had to adjust to a new world for their industry, but you’d think they could have seen it coming (well, Blockbuster certainly turned a blind eye). 

Past events have previously caused the Oscars to postpone, first in 1938 because of disastrous flooding in Los Angeles. 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 President Ronald Reagan was shot in Washington D.C.

None of these events affected the eligibility period for the awards, or were done so far out in advance.  This year’s announcement has extended the qualifying period from 12 months to 14, and included non-theatrical releases such as online steaming platforms. 

This announcement from the Academy is only the beginning; other events cancelled or postponed this year might still see further schedule changes. 

Stay flexible, my friends.