Wildfires swept through the Los Angeles area this week, causing numerous closures, cancellations and postponements. It now also includes Oscar nominations.
The announcement of nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, originally scheduled for January 17th, was postponed to January 19th. Voting for nominations has been extended by two days, until Jan. 14, Film Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a letter to members Wednesday. Times.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to those affected by the devastating fires across Southern California,” the letter said. “Many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”
According to the letter, an in-person “bake-off” event in the Los Angeles area where shortlisted contenders from the Academy’s sound, hair, makeup and visual effects departments showcase their work has been canceled. The bake was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday. Sound Bake-Offs in the Bay Area, New York, and London are not affected, and Hair, Makeup, and Visual Effects Bake-Offs will be replaced with virtual discussions. The screening of the finalists in the international feature category was also postponed.
News of the delayed nomination comes as “life-threatening and destructive” fire and wind events sweep through several parts of L.A. County. As of Wednesday afternoon, five people were confirmed dead and more than 1,100 structures were destroyed.
On Wednesday morning, several pre-Oscar events were postponed or canceled, including the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Tea Party, the AFI Awards Luncheon and the Critics’ Choice Awards. The 97th Oscar Awards Ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 2nd.
