In light of the recent devastating fires in Southern California, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced significant changes to the Oscar nomination timeline. The voting process, which began on January 8, has been extended by two days, now concluding on January 14 instead of the originally planned date of January 12. As a result, the nominations announcement has been pushed back from January 17 to January 19.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer reached out to members via email, expressing condolences for those affected by these catastrophic fires. "So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you," stated Kramer, highlighting the community's collective support during this trying time.

Additional critical changes include the postponement of the International Feature Shortlist Screening originally scheduled for Wednesday night in Los Angeles, along with the cancellation of several in-person events. These include the Los Angeles Sound Branch Bake-Off and Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch Bake-Offs that were set to occur on January 11, as well as the Visual Effects Branch Bake-Offs in both Los Angeles and New York.

The fires have also forced the cancellation or postponement of numerous high-profile premieres in the region. Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios were among the first to call off their Tuesday night screenings for "Unstoppable" and "Wolf Man." Similarly, Paramount and Max followed suit, scrapping their Wednesday premieres for "Better Man" and "The Pitt."

A number of other events have also been impacted. The SAG Awards nominations announcement, initially planned as a live event featuring stars Joey King and Cooper Koch, has now been adapted to a press release format. Both the AFI Awards luncheon scheduled for January 10 and the BAFTA Tea Party on January 11 have been postponed, along with the Critics Choice Awards, which have been rescheduled from January 12 to January 26.

Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Awards, described the situation as a tragedy that has profoundly impacted the community, stating, “All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.”

As the industry navigates these challenges, Conan O'Brien is still on track to host the 2025 Oscars ceremony, which will take place on March 2. The Academy’s commitment to supporting its members in the face of adversity highlights the resilience of the entertainment community. As we approach the awards season, all eyes will be on the nominations and how they reflect this tumultuous period in Hollywood.

Stay tuned for updates and mark your calendars for the new dates—this is just the beginning of an unforgettable awards season!