Oscars 2021: Five nominees from the Middle East to look out for Despite the pandemic and an industry struggling because of lockdown measures, these nominees from the Middle East are on the brink of making cinema history This year's awards are being held two months later than usual due to the pandemic (MEE) By Published date: 21 April 2021 10:19 UTC | Last update: 1 min 3 sec ago The 93rd Academy Awards - better known as the Oscars - take place on 25 April, in another unusual year for cinema. The ceremony in Hollywood is taking place two months later than planned due to the coronavirus pandemic, and comes as the industry continues to grapple with the closure of cinemas and disruption to filming brought on by global lockdowns.