The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced notable changes to its Oscar event schedule due to the ongoing forest fires in California. The Academy revealed that the nominations will now be announced on Thursday, January 23, instead of the previously postponed date of January 19. This announcement will be made through a virtual event, without in-person media coverage. additionally, the voting period has been extended until 5 PM on January 17, while the Academy awards ceremony will proceed as scheduled on March 2 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
However, the nominees luncheon, originally set for February 10, has been canceled and will not take place this year. The scientific and technical awards ceremony has also been postponed to a later date, yet to be persistent.
In a joint statement from Academy President Janet Young and CEO Bill Kramer, the academy expressed their deep sadness over the significant losses suffered by the community due to the fires. “We are deeply saddened by the significant losses our community has suffered due to the fires. The Academy has always been a unifying force in the film industry, and we stand in solidarity in the face of this adversity. We believe it is indeed necessary extending the voting period and changing the date for announcing nominations to allow more time for our members,” they stated.
The statement further emphasized the importance of adjusting the event schedule due to the ongoing impact of the fires on infrastructure and logistical needs in the region. “Due to the ongoing impact of the fires on the infrastructure and logistical needs in the region, we see the importance of making changes in our events schedule, and we believe that this decision has the support of the industry sector, and we also seek to use this opportunity to celebrate the resilience of our film community and honor the workers on the front lines who contributed to relief efforts,” they added.Despite these challenges, the Academy confirmed that the Academy awards ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and the Hulu platform in the United States, as well as in more than 200 regions worldwide, at 7 PM Eastern time and 4 PM Pacific time.
| Key Changes to Oscar Schedule |
|———————————–|
| Nominations announcement | January 23 (virtual event) |
| Voting period Extension | Until 5 PM on January 17 |
| academy Awards Ceremony | March 2 at Dolby Theater |
| Nominees Luncheon | Canceled (originally February 10) |
| Scientific & Technical Awards | Postponed (date TBD) |
The Academy’s decision reflects its commitment to supporting its members and the broader film community during this challenging time. The adjustments aim to provide more adaptability and celebrate the resilience of those affected by the fires.
