The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has postponed the announcement of this year’s Oscar nominations for a second time because of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, organisers said on Monday.
The nominations for the film industry’s highest honours will now be announced on Thursday, January 23rd. They originally had been set for Friday, January 17th, and then moved to Sunday, January 19th.
“Due to the still-active fires in the Los Angeles area, we feel it is necessary to extend our voting period and move the date of our nominations announcement to allow additional time for our members,” Academy head Bill Kramer and the academy’s president, Janet Yang, said in a statement.
The academy also canceled the annual Oscar nominees lunch, which had been set for February. 10th. The Academy Awards are still scheduled to take place on March 2nd. The shortlists for the British Academy of Film and Television awards (Bafta) are due to be announced in London on Wednesday.
Organisers of the Grammyss said the music industry honors also will take place as planned, on February 2nd.
“This year’s show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours,” officials said in a letter to members. – Reuters
