The announcement of this year’s Oscar nominations has been postponed due to the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles.
Originally slated for Friday, January 17, the Academy has now scheduled the unveiling of the nominees for Sunday, January 19. In response to the chaos caused by the fires, the voting period for the nearly 10,000 Academy members has been extended by two days, closing on Tuesday, January 14.
Among those affected by the fires is former Oscars host Billy Crystal, who has lost his home. Other celebrities who have suffered similar losses include Paris Hilton, James Woods, and Miles Teller.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to Academy members on Wednesday, CEO Bill Kramer expressed condolences to those impacted. He acknowledged that many members of the film industry reside in the Los Angeles area and offered support to all affected.
The fires, which erupted in the Hollywood Hills near iconic landmarks such as Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, have wreaked havoc since late Wednesday afternoon.
The disaster has not only disrupted the lives of residents but has also severely affected the city’s film and television industry. Productions have been halted, events postponed, and industry schedules thrown into disarray.
Conan O’Brien, slated to host the 2025 Oscars at the Dolby Theater on March 2, faces the challenge of leading the ceremony in the shadow of this tragic event. Meanwhile, the Critics Choice Awards, originally planned for January 12 in Santa Monica, have been rescheduled to January 26. Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Association, emphasized the profound impact the fires have had on the community and extended thoughts and prayers to those battling the blazes.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has canceled its annual Tea Party, which was set to take place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on Saturday, January 11. Similarly, other industry events have faced disruptions, with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) postponing its nominations announcement and the Producers Guild of America (PGA) delaying its nominations to January 12.
Jean Smart, star of Hacks, has publicly called on TV networks and streaming platforms to consider not televising upcoming awards shows. She urged broadcasters to donate the potential revenue to wildfire victims and the firefighters bravely battling the flames.
Echoing the sentiment, Netflix canceled Thursday’s New York premiere of the action-comedy Back in Action, starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, to show solidarity with those affected.
Celebrities have been stepping up to help as well. Ben Affleck was spotted assisting his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and their children in relocating to a safer area. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez’s film premiere for Unstoppable, set for Tuesday, was canceled by Amazon MGM Studios. Universal Studios, Paramount, and Max have followed suit, canceling premieres of their respective films Wolf Man, Better Man, and The Pitt.
Comedian Margaret Cho announced on Instagram that she had canceled her weekend shows in Los Angeles, advising her followers to prioritize safety. The ongoing emergency has led to widespread halts in TV production. FilmLA, the agency responsible for issuing film permits, warned that resources typically allocated to support productions might be unavailable during the local state of emergency.
The affected productions include season two of Fallout, Abbott Elementary, and Grey’s Anatomy. NBCUniversal has also suspended filming on shows such as Loot, Ted, Suits: LA, Happy’s Place, and Hacks, which recently won a Golden Globe.
Meanwhile, popular unscripted shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Price Is Right, and After Midnight are airing reruns, while America’s Got Talent postponed Sunday’s auditions, promising to announce a new date soon. The show’s Instagram account emphasized that the safety of participants and staff remains a top priority.
The impact of the wildfires on the entertainment industry underscores the interconnectedness of the Los Angeles community and the precarious nature of life in a region prone to natural disasters.
The Academy’s decision to delay its nominations announcement reflects a broader sense of solidarity within the industry. With lives and livelihoods at stake, the focus has shifted from glamour and accolades to compassion and resilience.
