Oscars 2021, you’re hearing it more and more as Hollywood’s big night approaches. Minari, Promising Young Woman, Nomadland – it’s going to be a close one, hey? So, from where you can watch it in Australia to the leading nominees, here’s what you need to know about the 93rd Academy Awards.
This is neither here nor there, but last year’s ceremony – when Bong Joon Ho absolutely cleaned up with Parasite – was probably the last good day before the pandemic did its thing. Anyway.
When are the Oscars 2021?
Factor in timezones, and the 2021 Academy Awards will kick off on the morning of Monday, April 26.
The ceremony usually takes place in early February, but it was obviously delayed due to the pandemic.
Where can I watch the Oscars from Australia?
The 93rd Academy Awards will air live on Channel 7 and 7plus on Monday, 26 April at 10am, with a prime time encore at 9.30pm. Love a solid encore.
Tune into E! on Foxtel from 7am for the pre-show and red carpet action.
Will it be over Zoom (shudders)?
Sort of.
At first, show producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins, and Stacey Sher sent a letter to all the Oscar nominees, revealing the ceremony will be in-person.
In fact, the letter said that no one will have the option to “Zoom in”.
“We are going to great lengths to provide a safe and enjoyable evening for all of you in person, as well as for all the millions of film fans around the world, and we feel the virtual thing will diminish those efforts,” the letter read.
The letter added that the plan is “to stage an intimate, in-person event”.
The announcement didn’t come without backlash though, especially from actors who live overseas and don’t want to hop on an international flight during [check notes] a pandemic.
The producers then announced they would add venues in other locations, including London, so nominees who are not able to travel because of restrictions can still attend.
Who’s hosting the Oscars 2021?
It appears this year’s Academy Awards will go without a host again. I’m not that fussed about it, to be honest.
Who are the key nominees?
The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Mank, Minari, Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, Sound of Metal, and The Trial of the Chicago 7 have all been nominated for Best Picture.
Lee Isaac Chung (Minari), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), David Fincher (Mank), Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), and Thomas Vinterberg (Another Round) are up for Best Director.
Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), the late Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Gary Oldman (Mank), and Steven Yeun (Minari) are nominated for Best Actor.
And Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Andra Dray (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman), Frances McDormand (Nomadland), and Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) carve out the Best Actress nominations.
You can read the full list of nominees right here.
To conclude, I leave you with Bong Joon Ho’s winning speech for Best Director from last year’s Academy Awards.
It still absolutely rules.
