As Los Angeles struggles with massive wildfires, the Oscars’ awarding organization announced Monday that it was calling off its upscale nominees’ luncheon.
As Hollywood attempts to manage the sad atmosphere during a time when it would often be celebrating award season, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences likewise shifted its nominee announcement online.
“We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang.
“The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship.”
The names of Oscar finalists will now be announced in a virtual event on January 23, while the nominees’ luncheon — a champagne-swilling celebration of all those up for statuettes — is off, the Academy said.
At least 24 people have died and thousands of buildings have been destroyed as massive fires have destroyed entire areas surrounding Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the US.
There are still 92,000 displaced persons seven days after the fires started.
The fires destroyed the houses of celebrities including Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Crystal, and TV and movie production was put on hold.
Eight-figure donations to emergency response and reconstruction operations have been promised by Hollywood studios and streamers.
Warner Bros Discovery and Disney each committed $15 million, while Netflix, Amazon and Universal parent company Comcast said they would give $10 million apiece.
“Our studio has called Burbank home for more than 100 years, and we are focused on what needs to be done to help those impacted rebound from this disaster and rebuild in the weeks, months, and years ahead,” said a Warner statement.
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