• Oscar nominations delayed to January 23 amid active wildfires in Los Angeles.
• Voting period extended through January 17 to account for the ongoing crisis.
• The Academy acknowledges devastating losses in the community due to the fires.
• Numerous industry events, including the nominees luncheon, have been canceled.
• Despite disruptions, the 97th Oscars ceremony is still planned for March 2.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a significant delay in the Oscar nominations, now set to be revealed on January 23, due to the devastating wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles. As of now, at least 25 lives have been lost, and thousands of structures—including many landmarks and celebrity homes—have been destroyed (source: TIME).

In light of these events, the Academy's voting period for nominations has been extended until January 17, allowing more time for its members. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their sorrow over the situation, emphasizing the Academy's role as a unifying force within the film community. In their joint statement, they remarked, “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community” (source: AP News).

The Academy has also canceled its annual nominees luncheon—typically a festive gathering for industry professionals—along with the Scientific and Technical Awards that were scheduled for February 18. These events have fallen victim to the turmoil caused by the ongoing fires (source: CBS News). The 97th Oscars ceremony is still set to occur on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre, with a live broadcast on ABC and a live streaming option on Hulu.

The challenges presented by these wildfires have not only affected the Oscars but also prompted various other industry events to postpone announcements, including those by the Producers Guild of America and Writers Guild of America, resulting in widespread disruption in Hollywood.

For further details, visit the original sources from SFGATE and USA Today.