Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), in a new development on Monday 15th June 2020, announced that the 2021 Oscars ceremony has been postponed by two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The award, which was due to hold on February 28, has now been rescheduled for April 25, while the eligibility window was extended beyond December 31, 2020 to the end of February 2021.

The AMPAS also announced that the Governors Awards gala has been postponed to a later date.

“For over a century, movies have played an important role in comforting, inspiring, and entertaining us,” David Rubin, Academy president, and Dawn Hudson, Academy CEO, said in a joint statement.

“They certainly have this year. Our hope 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 a historic moment, gathering movie fans around the world to unite through cinema.”

While the pandemic has halted some films that were due for release by the end of the year, it is yet to be known if the ceremony for the 2020 Oscars will be held virtually or in-person.