MOVIES NEWS – The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have led the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to delay the announcement of the 97th Academy Awards nominations. Originally, voting for the Oscars began on January 8, 2025, and was set to close on January 14, 2025, with the nominations being unveiled on Friday, January 17, 2025. However, massive fires that broke out a day before voting started forced the evacuation of thousands in Los Angeles. Initially, the Academy extended the voting period by two days, rescheduling the nominations for January 19, 2025, but the ongoing disaster has necessitated a further delay.
The Oscar nominations announcement postponed due to wildfires article in Deadline confirms that the Academy has extended the voting window again. The new voting deadline is now January 17, 2025, with nominations to be revealed on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 5:30 a.m. PT. Despite these changes, the Academy Awards ceremony remains scheduled for March 2, 2025. However, the traditional Oscar Nominees Luncheon, originally planned for February 10, has been canceled for 2025 without rescheduling.
In a statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang shared:
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the wildfires and the losses faced by so many in our community. The Academy has always aimed to unite the film industry, and we stand in solidarity during these challenging times.
Given the active fires still affecting the Los Angeles area, we feel it’s necessary to extend the voting period and delay the nominations announcement to provide our members with additional time.
Furthermore, to address the region’s infrastructure and housing needs in the coming weeks, we believe adjustments to our event schedule are crucial and will be supported by the industry.
Our members consistently emphasize the importance of community, and we are committed to celebrating the resilience and compassion of our industry. We also plan to honor first responders who have worked tirelessly during the fires, acknowledge those affected, and encourage support for relief efforts.
Together, we will overcome this tragedy and bring healing to the global film community.”
The revised announcement date means Oscar nominations will follow the Presidential inauguration, set for January 20, 2025. Additionally, the nominations will now coincide with the opening day of the Sundance Film Festival. Despite the fires in California, Sundance organizers have confirmed the festival will proceed as planned in Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 23 to February 2, 2025.
No Fire-Related Jokes Expected at Award Ceremonies
The wildfires in Los Angeles have already caused several film and television premieres to be canceled. Numerous productions have halted, many homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate. As of now, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and is only 14% contained, while the Eaton Fire has spread across 14,117 acres, with 33% containment. Twenty-four fatalities have been confirmed so far. The city is bracing for strong winds forecasted to reach 70 mph between early Tuesday morning and noon Wednesday, which could further spread the fires. Although the Oscars are usually a major focus at this time of year, they are currently far from people’s minds.
The film industry is still reeling from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, as well as the prolonged WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023. These events have left a lasting impact on film and television production schedules. While many were hopeful that 2025 would mark a recovery for the industry with numerous anticipated releases, the wildfires are expected to bring long-term economic repercussions for Hollywood and the millions affected in Los Angeles County. It’s unlikely that Conan O’Brien or any other host will make light of the fires at the 97th Academy Awards, though a tribute to the tragedy is almost certain.
Source: MovieWeb
