California fires affect the schedule of prestigious film awards: Oscar nominees will be announced on 19 January
Voting for the 2025 Academy Awards will be open for two days longer due to the horrific wildfires that have engulfed Southern California. Voting for the Academy's nearly 10,000 members began on 8 January and was originally due to close on 12 January, but now the new deadline is 14 January. The announcement of the nominees, which was scheduled for 17 January, has also been postponed to 19 January.
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A letter to Academy members signed by CEO Bill Kramer reads: "We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California. Many of our members and colleagues are based in Los Angeles, and our thoughts are with you."
These changes follow the numerous cancellations of premieres and events in Los Angeles due to the horrific fires. For example, Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios cancelled their premieres of Unstoppable and Wolf Man, and also postponed the announcement of the SAG Awards.
The AFI Awards luncheon scheduled for 10 January and the BAFTA Tea Party on 11 January have also been postponed. The Critics Choice Awards ceremony, which was to take place on 12 January in Santa Monica, is now scheduled for 26 January.
A number of other events have also been postponed or cancelled.
The filming of the second season of the Fallout series was also postponed due to the fires.
Source: Variety
