In light of the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires, the announcement for this year’s Academy Award nominations has been rescheduled. The ongoing crisis has prompted significant changes in the timeline for the prestigious event, highlighting the serious impact of natural disasters on the entertainment industry.

As the devastating wildfires continue to wreak havoc across the Los Angeles region, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has communicated important updates to its members. The voting period for the Oscars has been extended by an additional two days, resulting in a delay of the nominations announcement by several days. The new date for the announcement of the Academy Award nominations will now take place on January 19th, allowing more time for members to participate in the voting process.

In a heartfelt letter, CEO Bill Kramer expressed the Academy’s sympathies, stating, “Dear Academy members, we want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California. Our thoughts are with the many members and industry colleagues who reside and work in the Los Angeles area. Amidst this disaster, we wish to provide updates about the extension of the Oscars nominations voting window and other relevant information regarding Oscars Shortlist Screenings, Oscars Bake-Offs, and the Academy Museum.“

Kramer elaborated on the situation, stating, “Nominations voting for the 97th Oscars opened this morning at 9am PT. To accommodate the circumstances, we will extend the voting window by two days, allowing members additional time to submit their ballots. The voting will now conclude on Tuesday, January 14 at 5pm PT. Consequently, our Oscars Nominations Announcement has been rescheduled from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19. Further details regarding the announcement will be shared shortly.“

The wildfires have also forced the closure of several theaters in the Los Angeles area and have led to the postponement of numerous film premieres, including Wolf Man, The Last Showgirl, Unstoppable, and Better Man. Additionally, the Critics Choice Awards have been postponed from their original date of January 12th to January 26th, where it will be broadcast on E! and available for streaming on Peacock the following day. “This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community,” said Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these devastating fires.“

The impact of the wildfires has been catastrophic, destroying thousands of homes and structures while forcing over 70,000 individuals to evacuate their residences. Tragically, several fatalities have also been reported as a result of this crisis. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the fires, and we urge everyone to prioritize their safety during this difficult time.