Academy sets Oscar dates for next 3 years

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has set dates for the next three years of Academy Awards, with next year’s Oscars taking place on Feb. 28 and subsequent shows occurring on Feb. 26, 2017 and March 4, 2018, according to TheWrap.

The dates stick to what has been the traditional Oscar timing for the last several years: The show takes place on the last Sunday in February, except in years during which the Winter Olympics are held, in which case it moves to the first Sunday in March so as not to air opposite the closing ceremonies.

While the Academy was in the past hotly rumored to have been discussing moving the Oscars earlier, the announcement reinforces the AMPAS board’s satisfaction with the current timing of the show.

AMPAS also announced a number of additional dates for the 88th Academy Awards. Nomination voting will open on Dec. 30 and close on Jan. 8, with nominees being revealed on Thursday, Jan. 14. Final voting will open on Feb. 12 and close on Feb. 23.

As part of the Academy’s long-term deal with ABC, the next three Oscar shows will all air live on the network. All will take place at the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland center in Hollywood.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who have produced the last three Oscar shows, will not return as producers for next year’s Oscars. Their replacements have yet to be chosen. In addition, the Academy Board of Governors is expected to consider a move back to five Best Picture nominations at its next meeting.