Oscar awards in jeopardy: American Film Academy makes statement amid Los Angeles fire crisis

The deadly wildfires in Los Angeles have jeopardized this year's Oscars. The American Film Academy has extended the voting deadline by two days.

It started on January 8 and was scheduled to end on the 12th. The nominees were scheduled to be announced on January 17, but the event has also been postponed to January 19, Variety reports.

"We want to express our deepest condolences to those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California," the statement reads, "Many of our colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area. Our thoughts are with you."

In an email to employees, Academy CEO Bill Kramer detailed the schedule with changes to the schedule. In particular, the qualifying round of international feature films has been postponed to the end of this week, although it was originally scheduled for January 8.

According to preliminary data, the prestigious award ceremony will take place on March 2. The event will be hosted by American comedian Conan O'Brien.

The voting period was extended amid the postponement or cancellation of film premieres and other various events in Los Angeles.

Amazon MGM Studios, Universal Studios, Paramount, and Max have canceled film premieres. Moreover, the AFI Awards gala dinner, scheduled for January 10, as well as the Critics Choice Awards ceremony, which was to take place on January 12, have been postponed.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that due to large-scale forest fires in California, a mass evacuation was carried out and a state of emergency was declared. The fire reached fashionable areas, which is why Hollywood stars left their homes. Many celebrities' mansions were destroyed by the fire.

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