March 25, 2009–The 82nd annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, again at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences picking a later date for the ceremony, due to ABC’s extensive coverage of the Winter Olympics. The rites are usually held in late February, but were held unusually early this past year due to quirks in the calendar. So next year’s ceremony will arrive nearly two weeks after the 81st awards date, on Feb. 22.
Faced with the option of an extra week of awards season, the Academy decided to put that week before nominations are announced. Thus, the nominations will be announced on Februray 2, 2009, as opposed to January 22 this year. The nominations are returning to a Tuesday announcement, after shifting to Thursday this year due to the inauguration of President Obama.
Key dates for your calendar:
Dec. 1, 2009: Official Screen Credits forms due
Dec. 28: Nominations ballots mailed
Jan. 23, 2010: Nominations polls close 5 p.m. PT
Feb. 2: Noms announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Samuel Goldwyn Theater
Feb. 10: Final ballots mailed
Feb. 15: Nominees Luncheon
Feb. 20: Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards presentation
March 2: Final polls close 5 p.m. PT
March 7: Academy Awards presentation
