Academy Awards Returning to March in 2022, Will Cover 10 Months Of Films

The Academy Awards will be heading back to March with next year’s ceremony, and will only be for the final 10 months of 2021. Deadline reports that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will host the 94th annual Oscars on March 27th, with nominations set to be announced on February 8th. This is a month earlier than the 93rd annual show, which aired on April 25 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is actually later than the usual February show due to the fact that the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics will dominate the airwaves for the month of February.

Last year’s award show covered an extended 14-month period due to the pandemic pushing so many films, and as a result the 94th awards will have a shorter eligibility period. The 2022 show’s eligibility will run from March 1st until December 31st of this year. As the 2022 awards will still feature time affected by the pandemic, the eligibility requirements will be retained from last year which means that:

“Films which are intended for theatrical release, but are initially made available through commercial streaming, VOD service or other broadcast may qualify under these provisions:
• That the film be made available on the secure Academy Screening Room member site within 60 days of the film’s streaming/VOD release or broadcast;
• That it meets all other eligibility requirements

For films that have a qualifying run of at least seven straight days at a venue in L.A. County, New York, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami, or Florida (which can include drive-ins), the Academy Screening Room is optional.

The 93rd Academy Awards saw Nomadland taking home Best Picture, Best Actress (Frances McDormand), and Best Director (Chloe Zhao), with Anthony Hopkins winning Best Actor for The Father.