The ongoing fires in Los Angeles have caused a significant disruption to the Oscars timeline, resulting in a second delay for the announcement of the 97th Academy Award nominations.
Originally, the deadline for voting was set to end on January 12, but due to the widespread fires, the Academy extended the deadline to January 14. Now, with thousands of voters having been evacuated from their homes, voting will remain open until January 17, providing them with more time to cast their ballots.
As a result, the nominations will be announced on January 23 in a virtual event, and there will be no in-person media coverage. The Oscar nominees’ luncheon, which was originally scheduled for February 10, has also been canceled.
Academy Responds to the Crisis
In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their sympathy for those affected by the fires and emphasized the importance of supporting the community during this challenging time.
“We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community,” said the statement. “The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship.”
Due to the fires and the displacement of voters, the Academy explained that the extension of the voting period and the rescheduling of the nominations announcement were necessary to ensure all members had ample time to participate.
Adjustments to Event Schedule
The statement further highlighted that the Academy needed to make changes to the event schedule to accommodate the region’s infrastructure and lodging challenges in the coming weeks. They expressed confidence that these changes would be supported by the film industry.
Additionally, the Academy acknowledged the efforts of frontline workers who have been instrumental in helping the community during this crisis, and they expressed their intention to honor them during the upcoming awards season.
Awards Ceremony Still Set for March 2
Despite the delays, the 97th Academy Awards are still scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, marking a momentous occasion for the film industry. The Academy remains committed to delivering a memorable awards show while navigating these unforeseen challenges.
