Oscars 2021 will consider streamed movies as eligible due to coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic means that none of us will be going to the movies anytime soon. With production halts for several of our anticipated stories and safety concerns of physically going to the cinema to watch existing content, it will take a long time for the world of movies to resume to normalcy.

Keeping this in mind, the Oscars have, for the first time in history, allowed films to debut on streaming services, especially since they won’t be having a theatrical release. With this announcement, the Academy also made sure to inform everyone that this is a one-time exception only. To avoid confusion, the Academy said, that a film will only be eligible if it had a previously planning theatrical release.

Furthermore, the sound mixing and sound categories will no longer be part of the Oscar award program, instead, be combined into one.

“The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater. Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering,” said David Rubin, the Academy president, and Dawn Hudson, its CEO, in a statement. “Nonetheless, the historically tragic Covid-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules.”

The 93^rd Oscars will air on February 28, 2021.