The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made significant adjustments to its Oscar event schedule in light of the devastating wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their heartbreak over the impact of the fires on the community, stating, “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community.”
To accommodate the challenges posed by the ongoing disaster, the Academy has extended the Oscar nomination voting period until January 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST. This change follows an initial extension that pushed the deadline from January 12 to January 14. The nominations announcement has also been delayed and will now take place virtually on January 23 at 5:30 AM PST, with no in-person media coverage to further respect the situation in the region.
The traditional Oscars Nominees Luncheon scheduled for February 10 has been canceled, along with the Scientific and Technical Awards, which will be rescheduled. Despite these alterations, the 97th Oscars ceremony is still set to occur on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood.
In their statement, Kramer and Yang emphasized the importance of community support during these difficult times, expressing their commitment to honor frontline workers who have fought the fires and support those affected by these tragedies. They declared, “We will get through this together and bring a sense of healing to our global film community.”
These changes reflect a larger trend of solidarity seen among various communities responding to the wildfires. For instance, members of the Lautoka Gurudwara Temple recently held a prayer session for the wildfire victims, showcasing a spirit of unity and compassion that pervades during such crises.
As communities come together in the face of adversity, there is hope for recovery and healing that transcends the immediate challenges. The actions taken by the Academy encapsulate a collective effort to support those impacted while still striving to celebrate the film industry’s contributions.
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