Event

Oscars Organizers Announce Changes Amid California Fires

Published January 23, 2025

The organizers of the 2025 Academy Awards have made a significant announcement regarding this year's show, following criticism for their decision not to cancel the event amid the devastating fires in Los Angeles.

In a letter sent to members on Wednesday, the Academy expressed its plans to 'honor' Los Angeles, a city that has sadly experienced the loss of 28 lives and the destruction of 63 square miles due to wildfires, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang stated, 'We will honor Los Angeles as the city of dreams, showcasing its beauty and resilience, and its role as a beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries for over a century.' They added, 'We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry.'

However, some specific changes to the awards ceremony have raised concerns among fans and critics. The letter indicated that this year, the presentation of the Best Original Song category will not include live performances. Instead, the focus will be on the songwriters. The Academy aims to celebrate their artistry with personal reflections from the individuals responsible for bringing these songs to life.

Traditionally, each nominated song would be performed live during the telecast, with the songwriters being acknowledged after the performance. Critics note that this shift may reduce attention on the performers, despite the fact that the nominees are the songwriters themselves.

The letter concluded with the Academy stating, 'There is so much more in store, including powerful musical moments that connect film’s rich history to its bold and inspiring future. We hope you will tune in tomorrow morning to watch the Nominations Announcement, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to the Academy and our film community. We are stronger together.'

Previously, the Oscar nominations had been postponed two times due to the ongoing fire crisis. Additionally, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon has been canceled while the Scientific and Technical Awards are also postponed.

According to sources, the prevailing sentiment among the Academy’s leadership is that the ceremony should be held, but in a manner that respects the current circumstances and helps to raise funds for fire relief efforts.

An insider revealed that there are concerns within the Academy leadership that proceeding with such a lavish event could appear insensitive while many individuals in Los Angeles are experiencing profound loss and heartbreak. The source noted, 'The board’s main concern at this time is to not look like they are celebrating while many Los Angelenos are dealing with heartbreak.'

There were also remarks about how inappropriate it would be to have waitstaff serving extravagant meals to celebrities while many in the community are struggling.

Despite the event going forward, the extravagant $171,000 gift bags typically given to attendees have been cut, as board members deemed them in 'bad taste.' These lavish bags often included luxury items like a three-night stay in the Swiss Alps, beauty treatments, exquisite jewelry, and high-end appliances.

Oscars, announcement, fires