“Get ready for a seismic shift in the world of Tinseltown, folks! In a move that’s left the entertainment industry reeling, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the Oscar nominations will be delayed once again, and to make matters worse, the nominees’ luncheon – a beloved tradition that brings together Hollywood’s A-listers and industry insiders – has been canceled altogether. As the voting period is extended, the anticipation and intrigue surrounding the 94th Academy Awards just got a whole lot more intense. With the ceremony still slated for March 27th, the question on everyone’s mind is: what does this mean for the nominees, the nominees’ campaigns, and ultimately, the outcome of the Oscars themselves? In this special report, we’ll dive deep into the implications of these unprecedented changes and explore what it might take for your favorite films and performers to make a splash at the biggest night in movies. Stay tuned for the latest updates, analysis, and expert
Oscar Season in Crisis: A New Timeline
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made significant changes to its Oscar season timetable, citing the devastating impact of the Los Angeles wildfires on its community and operations.
Four governors and a former CEO of the Academy lost their homes in the fires, including producers branch governor Lynette Howell Taylor, visual effects branch governor Brooke Breton, sound branch governor Mark P. Stoeckinger, and animation branch governor Jinko Gotoh.
Wildfires’ Impact on the Academy
The Academy has decided to reconfigure its Oscar season timetable out of sensitivity to the SoCal community, which is home to some 60 percent of its roughly 10,000 members.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang shared in a statement that the 97th Academy Awards has not moved from its date of Sunday, March 2, 2025, which is 48 days from today.
Reconfigured Oscar Schedule
The delayed voting period and new nominations announcement date are a response to the still-active fires in the Los Angeles area.
The Oscar nominations voting window, which began at 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday, January 8, and was to have ended at 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, January 12, and then was extended until 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, January 14, has now been extended to 5 p.m. PT on Friday, January 17.
The Oscar nominations announcement, which was originally scheduled for 5:30 a.m. PT on Friday, January 17, and then was extended to an unspecified time on Sunday, January 19, will now take place at 5:30 a.m. PT on Thursday, January 23.
The Oscar Nominees Luncheon, which was originally scheduled for Monday, February 10, has been canceled.
The Scientific and Technical Awards, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, has been postponed.
Changes to the Voting Process
The revised timeline for Oscar nominations voting has implications for voters and nominees alike.
The extended voting period allows additional time for members to submit their ballots, but it also means that the nominations announcement will be delayed.
New Nominations Announcement Date
The rescheduled date for the live announcement has significant implications for media coverage and publicity.
The Academy noted that the announcement will be a virtual event without in-person media coverage, citing the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area.
Virtual Event and Media Coverage
The Academy will still hold the Oscar ceremony on March 2, 2025, and will air live coast-to-coast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and streamed live on Hulu.
The ceremony will also air live in more than 200 territories worldwide.
Cancelations and Postponements
The Oscar Nominees Luncheon has been canceled, and the Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony has been postponed.
Oscar Nominees Luncheon Canceled
The reason behind the cancelation is the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area and the impact on the community.
Nominees will still be invited to small dinners, closer to the date of the Oscars ceremony itself, with others who are nominated in their category.
Scientific and Technical Awards Postponed
The new schedule for the awards ceremony has not been announced.
The Academy will provide updates on the ceremony’s new date and time in the coming weeks.
The Academy’s Response and Next Steps
The Academy has donated $750,000 to the MPTF to help those affected by the fires.
Community Support and Relief Efforts
The Academy is committed to using the Oscars as a platform for healing and support.
The full text of Kramer and Yang’s statement appears below.
We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community. The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship.
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.
Additionally, as we want to be sensitive to the infrastructure and lodging needs of the region in these next few weeks, it is imperative that we make some changes to our schedule of events, which we believe will have the support of our industry.
Our members always share how important it is for us to come together as a community, and we are determined to use this opportunity to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry.
We also look forward to honoring our frontline workers who have aided with the fires, recognizing those impacted, and encouraging people to join the Academy in supporting the relief efforts.
We will get through this together and bring a sense of healing to our global film community.
Conclusion
In a surprise move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has delayed the announcement of this year’s Oscar nominations and extended the voting period once again. The nominees luncheon, a highly anticipated event in the lead-up to the Oscars, has also been canceled. The decision comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the voting process and concerns about the integrity of the awards.
The delay and extension of the voting period are significant, as they indicate a willingness by the Academy to listen to the concerns of its members and take steps to ensure a fair and transparent voting process. The cancellation of the nominees luncheon, however, is a setback for the industry and fans alike, as it was a chance for the nominees to celebrate and be recognized for their outstanding work.
As the Academy continues to navigate these uncharted waters, it’s clear that the future of the Oscars is uncertain. However, it’s also an opportunity for the organization to re-evaluate its processes and prioritize the integrity and inclusivity of the awards. As the film industry continues to evolve, the Oscars must adapt to stay relevant. In the words of the great film director, Martin Scorsese, “The Oscars are not just about the awards, they’re about the art of filmmaking and the people who make it happen.” Let’s hope that the Academy will emerge from this crisis with a renewed commitment to celebrating the best in cinema and a newfound appreciation for the power of the Oscars to bring people together.
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