There is a sound of relief around Los Angeles this afternoon and it’s not because everyone is finally seeing “Avengers: Infinity War” tonight. No, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced key dates for the 2019 Oscar season and for the first time in two years have avoided announcing the Oscar nominations during the heart of the Sundance Film Festival, an event that delivered two Best Picture nominees last year. And if you don’t think it screws with both organizations in some capacity you haven’t paid attention.
Best and Worst of the 2018 Academy Awards
For Sundance, the Oscar nods have meant delaying the last Dramatic Competition premieres until 3 PM and avoiding repeats of potentially popular premieres that morning. This is partially because many of the press who would attend, review and/or cover are busy dealing with nominations coverage remotely. Moreover, last January Sundance had three potential nominees on the Dramatic Competition Jury and two of them actually were nominated (Rachel Morrison and Octavia Spencer) which meant they would be preoccupied during that time. The Academy has thousands of reporters covering the announcement worldwide, but it’s a nice gesture considering how many members (including board members) are often at Sundance with a project or shopping one.
The 2019 Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, Jan 24- Sunday, Feb. 3.
The 2019 Golden Globes date has not been announced, but its rumored to occur on Jan 6. Based on the Academy’s nomination calendar that would give the HFPA another year to influence voters a week before Oscar nomination ballots are due. If it’s on 13th they are back to the traditional one night to make those stragglers question their votes.
Academy key dates for the 2018 Awards season are:
Sunday, November 18, 2018 Governors Awards
Monday, January 7, 2019 Nominations voting opens
Monday, January 14, 2019 Nominations voting closes
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Oscar Nominations Announcement
Monday, February 4, 2019 Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Saturday, February 9, 2019 Scientific and Technical Awards
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 Finals voting opens
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Finals voting closes
Sunday, February 24, 2019 91st Oscars
