The Academy Awards has made changes to its schedule following the continuing wildfires in Los Angeles, impacting key events leading up to the ceremony.
The nomination voting period, originally set to close on Sunday, January 12, was first extended to Tuesday, January 14, and will now continue until Friday, January 17, at 5 p.m. PT. Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 23, at 5:30 a.m. PT, during a virtual event without in-person media coverage. The ceremony itself is still planned for Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood.
As part of the adjustments, the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon, which was scheduled for February 10, has been canceled. Additionally, the Scientific and Technical Awards, originally set for February 18, have been postponed, with a new date yet to be confirmed.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their sympathy for those affected by the fires, noting, “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community.” They added, “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 ongoing fires in Los Angeles, it is necessary to extend our voting period and adjust the nomination announcement date to allow our members more time.”
In response to the crisis, the Academy has donated $750,000 to the Motion Picture & Television Fund. The fires have already disrupted several Los Angeles premieres and events, leading to these changes.
Kramer and Yang also mentioned the importance of considering the region’s infrastructure and lodging needs during this challenging period. They said, “It is imperative that we make changes to our schedule of events, which we believe will have the support of our industry. Our members always emphasize the importance of coming together as a community, and we are determined to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry. We look forward to honoring our frontline workers, recognizing those impacted, and encouraging everyone to join us in supporting the relief efforts.”
This year’s Oscar contenders feature a range of acclaimed films, including Sean Baker’s dramedy Anora, Jon M. Chu’s musical Wicked, and Edward Berger’s thriller Conclave, all expected to receive nominations.
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