- Wildfires have ravaged the Los Angeles area
- Thousands have lost their homes due to the blazes
- The Oscars are the latest award season event to be impacted
The Oscars are a regular Hollywood institution and, like many things in the area, have been impacted by the deadly wildfires ravaging the city.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has opted to rework its lineup of events in the run-up to the 97th Academy Awards in light of the flames.
More than 60 per cent of their membership lives in Southern California. Four members of the governing board and its ex-CEO lost their homes to the blaze, joining a whole host of celebrities who also lost their mansions.
Read more: The Pacific Palisades fires took these stars homes
Oscar nominations voting
The voting to decide the nominees opened on 8 January. They were initially supposed to close four days later, on 12 January.
However, last week, the end was pushed back to 17 January.
Oscar nominations announcement
The hotly anticipated nominations were supposed to be revealed at 17 January. The fires got this to be changed to 19 January.
But now, it will be aired on 23 January.
Oscar Nominees Luncheon
This event, scheduled for 10 February, has been completely axed.
The Scientific and Technical Awards
No date has been provided for this postponed event but it won’t be happening on the 18 February as planned.
What hasn’t been delayed?
One thing that hasn’t changed is the date of the big day itself, which is set to take place on 2 March. However, they have faced calls not to televise the Conan O’Brien ceremony and instead focus resources into the local community.
However, many have pointed out how good for the local economy awards season is.
Read more: Award shows are a bad look now, says Jean Smart
Are the Academy planning to do anything to help the victims?
The Oscars’s CEO Bill Kramer, and president Janet Yang wrote in a statement they were “devastated” by the fires.
They went on to hint that they were planning a fundraising event to help the relief effort.
“Our members always share how important it is for us to come together as a community, and we are determined to use this opportunity to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry. We also look forward to honouring our frontline workers who have aided with the fires, recognizing those impacted, and encouraging people to join the Academy in supporting the relief efforts,” they said.
