Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced some major changes to the Oscars, but for next year only.
First and foremost, films available through commercial streaming or video on demand (VOD) services will be eligible to qualify in the best picture, general entry and all other specialty award categories at the 2021 Academy Awards, according to an official statement issued by the academy’s board of governors on Tuesday afternoon. “Until further notice, and for the 93rd Awards year only, films that had a previously planned theatrical release but are initially made available on a commercial streaming or VOD service may qualify in the ‘Best Picture’, general entry and specialty categories