The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has again delayed announcing the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards due to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, which have caused widespread devastation and claimed 25 lives. Originally scheduled for January 17 and previously postponed until January 19, nominations will now be announced on January 23.
The fires have already disrupted much of Hollywood's awards calendar, at least in the short term. The Producers Guild of America has postponed announcing the nominations several times. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Tea Party, a staple of the season, has been cancelled. Both the AFI Awards Luncheon and the Critics Choice Awards have been postponed indefinitely. On Monday, the Writers Guild of America said it will also delay the announcement of its nominees, originally scheduled for Jan. 9, until further notice.
In a statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang emphasized solidarity with the film community, which was already struggling to regain its footing following the 2023 labor strikes: “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the deep losses experienced by so many. The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry and we are committed to remaining united in the face of hardship.”
The Academy has once again extended the Oscar nominations voting period until January 17. The Scientific and Technical Awards, scheduled for February 18, will be rescheduled. The annual nominees luncheon, originally scheduled for Feb. 10 and always one of the most festive gatherings of awards season, has been canceled.
Despite the interruptions, the 97th Oscar ceremony remains scheduled for March 2 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. The event will air live on ABC and, in a first for the Oscars, will be available to stream live on Hulu.
