As the devastating wildfires sweep across Los Angeles leaving a trail of destruction behind, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced adjustments to the Oscars schedule.
The voting for the Oscar nominations has reportedly been extended two days, states Variety. Voting for the nearly 10,000 Academy members opened on January 8 and was originally set to close on Sunday, January 12. However, the deadline is now been extended to Jan 14.
The Academy was slated to announce the nominations on Friday, Jan 17, however, with the deadline now extended, the nominees will be announced on Sunday, Jan 19.
According to the latest reports, several Hollywood stars including actors, directors, musicians and television stars have lost their homes in the fires, while several others have been asked to flee their localities.
The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have led to significant disruptions across the entertainment industry, with several high-profile events postponed or cancelled. The International Feature Shortlist Screening, initially scheduled for Wednesday night in Los Angeles, has been postponed to later this week. Meanwhile, the in-person Los Angeles Sound Branch Bake-Off and Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch Bake-Offs, planned for January 11 in both Los Angeles and New York City, have been cancelled.
Similarly, the Visual Effects Branch Bake-Offs set for January 11 in Los Angeles, New York, and the Bay Area have also been called off.
Despite the scheduling adjustments, it must be noted that the 2025 Oscars ceremony remains set for March 2, with comedian Conan O’Brien confirmed as the host.
In an email to Academy members on Wednesday, CEO Bill Kramer extended the organization’s condolences to those impacted by the fires. “We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the devastating fires across Southern California. So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you,” the email read.
The Palisades Fire, burning near Malibu and Santa Monica, has become the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County history, according to CalFire. The fire has claimed at least five lives, left many others with significant injuries, and destroyed over 1,000 structures.
