Oscars 2025 ceremony at risk due to LA wildfires

The 2025 Oscars ceremony, originally set for March 2, may be canceled due to the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had already rescheduled the Oscars nominations twice, with the original announcement date pushed from January 17 to January 19, and now set for January 23.

Reports indicate that the ongoing wildfires, which have claimed over 24 lives and displaced thousands, may force the cancellation of the Oscars event. The wildfires continue to impact the Los Angeles area, prompting changes to several industry events.

In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed deep concern: “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.”

To support affected members, the Academy extended the voting period for the nominations until Friday, as voting was initially set to close the same day nominations were to be announced.

In related news, the Writers Guild of America also postponed the announcement of their nominees, originally scheduled for January 9, but now delayed until further notice. Other significant events, including the British Academy of Film and TV Arts Tea Party, AFI Awards luncheon, and Critics Choice Awards, have all been rescheduled.

While the Oscars ceremony has never been fully canceled, there have been instances in history where it was delayed due to significant events. In 2021, the ceremony was postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other delays in history include a week-long postponement in 1938 due to disastrous flooding in Los Angeles, a two-day delay in 1968 following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a 24-hour delay in 1981 after the shooting of President Ronald Reagan, which occurred just hours before the ceremony was set to begin.

As wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles, the fate of the 2025 Oscars ceremony remains uncertain.