Los Angeles fires delay Oscar nominations again: NPR
In this photo taken on Friday, Jan. 10, the complete wreckage of a property on Sunset Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles is seen.
John Locher/AP
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Hollywood's awards season has been disrupted as wildfires continue to rage across Southern California. This year's Academy Awards nominations, originally scheduled for this Friday, have been postponed once. As the war continues to burn, the Academy has extended the voting period and postponed nomination announcements again to January 23; now actors, directors, cinematographers, screenwriters and many others must wait until next week to find out whether they are eligible to compete for Oscars award. Additionally, the annual nominations luncheon has been cancelled.
“We are all affected by the impact of the fires and the tremendous loss experienced by so many in our community,” college CEO Bill Kramer and college president Janet Yang wrote in a statement. Devastated by the loss.” “The Academy has always been a unifying force in the film industry and we are committed to working together in the face of hardship.
“With fires still active in the Los Angeles area, we feel it is necessary to extend the voting period and delay the date for the nomination announcement to allow more time for our members. Additionally, as we hope to have more time to consider given the ongoing disruption to the region's infrastructure and Accommodation is in demand and we have to make some changes to the events calendar which we believe will be supported by our industry.”
The Writers Guild of America said it would also delay announcing award nominations “until further notice.”
The Oscars are still scheduled to be televised on March 2. Some industry insiders urge changes to this year's awards season: Actress Rosanna Arquette takes to app BlueSky to urge awards shows, including Oscars, to raise funds for cities, firefighters and families Who's Lost everything.
I’m excited to see this year’s Sagittarius Awards, Oscars, and Grammy Awards turn these shows into telethons to raise funds for the Los Angeles City community, for families who have lost their homes, pets, and memories of their lives, and for the people we love. Firefighters who save lives.
— Rosanna (@rosannaarquette.bsky.social) January 9, 2025 at 1:05 pm
The show will also continue with other entertainment. The Grammy Awards are still scheduled to be held on February 2, and the purpose of the telecast is to raise funds for wildfire relief.
Universal Music Group, which represents artists including Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift Announcing the cancellation of all Grammy-related events“and will reallocate resources used for these activities to assist those affected by wildfires.”
The Sundance Film Festival has announced it will still take place in Park City, Utah, starting next week.
“We have had numerous conversations with artists, volunteers, industry/media, trustees, donors, partners and staff. The loss we have witnessed and that so many are experiencing is difficult to understand and deeply emotional,” Agent wrote CEO Amanda Kelso and festival director Eugene Hernandez in a letter shared with NPR. “Our community has historically come together when passion and perseverance are needed most, drawing strength from the deep bonds that make us so resilient. Now, we may mourn, but we also know it's important to continue.”
Wildfires continue to disrupt the film and television industries that have made Southern California famous. Many people working in the industry lost their homes and communities in the fires that ravaged the region. Some red carpet premieres have been canceled and production on TV shows and movies has been suspended, creating more anxiety for those in the industry already worried about an industry downturn and production leaving the Los Angeles area.
How to help and stay safe
Resources to help stay safe:
➡️ As fire danger remains high, authorities implore you to comply with evacuation orders
➡️ What to do and what not to do after returning home after a fire evacuation
➡️ Do you have cigarettes at home? Here's How to Make an Air Purifier from a Box Fan
➡️Trying to stay safe during a wildfire? There's an app that can help
Supported response and recovery methods:
➡️ Want to help fire victims? Here's what experts say is the most beneficial place and where to find volunteers
➡️ Wildfire Donation and Volunteering: How and Where to Help
➡️ Share: These are the steps fire victims need to take to file an insurance claim
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