2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards Postponed Amid Pandemic

The 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards has become the latest high-class event to get postponed due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.

According to Variety, the awards show was previously scheduled to take place on Feb. 27, 2021, but it will now take place on April 24, 2021 due to the global health crisis. The Spirit Awards is following the tradition of having a ceremony just 24 hours before the Oscars.

In a statement obtained by the media outlet, Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent, revealed that the organization will also extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year. The eligibility period, which originally started on Jan. 1, 2020 and was supposed to end on Dec. 31, 2020, has now been extended until Feb. 28, 2021.

Welsh also explained that the decision of postponing the event was made in “acknowledgment” of the challenges faced by the world of cinema right now.

“The Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Additionally, we will recognize films that were released between January 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, in acknowledgment of the unique challenges the world of cinema, and the world as a whole, is currently experiencing,” Welsh said.

Started in 1984, the Spirit Awards is known for honoring the best in independent film.

The news of postponement comes a day after The Academy announced that the Oscars are being pushed back for two months. Hollywood’s biggest night will now take place on April 25, 2021 due to the pandemic.

The decision of delaying the ceremony was made to provide “flexibility” to the filmmakers who need to finish and release their films.

“For over a century, movies have played an important role in comforting, inspiring, and entertaining us during the darkest of times. They certainly have this year. Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalized for something beyond anyone's control,” the Academy’s statement read.

This is the fourth time that the Oscars has been postponed.

Immediately following the Academy's announcement, Britain's BAFTAs, which typically take place shortly before the Oscars, was moved to April 11.

Meanwhile, television's Primetime Emmys ceremony is still scheduled to take place in September, with discussions over its format still ongoing. Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting this year’s ceremony.