In wake of the wildfires in Los Angeles County, Hollywood won’t stop.
During the early days of the LA fires, several events in the entertainment industry were canceled or postponed. The Critics Choice Awards, the BAFTA Tea Party, the Writers Guild Award nominations and other events were called off or rescheduled in wake of the fires, per Deadline.
For more than a week, wildfires have ravaged Southern California; the blaze has claimed more than 12,000 structures and burned over 60 square miles, per CBS News.
But as the LA fires cool off and we launch into peak award season, the Academy Awards and Grammys will go on as scheduled.
“After consultation with ABC, our board, and other key stakeholders in the Los Angeles and film communities, we have made the carefully considered decision to proceed with the 97th Oscars ceremony as planned on March 2nd,” Academy Chief Executive Officer Bill Kramer said in a statement shared with the Los Angeles Times.
The statement continued, “This year’s ceremony will include special moments acknowledging those who fought so bravely against the wildfires. We feel that we must go forward to support our film community and to use our global platform to bring attention to these critical moments in our history.”
Kramer also noted that the film industry has always had a spirit of “resilience” and the Oscars are a celebration of that. The 97th annual Academy Awards remain scheduled for Sunday, March 2.
The Academy has made changes to its typical award schedule. The Oscar nomination voting period has been extended twice, delaying nomination announcements, per Variety. The annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon, which was scheduled Feb, 2, was canceled. All funds set aside for the luncheon will be donated to wildfire relief efforts.
The Grammy Awards will also “will proceed as planned” on Sunday, Feb. 2, the Recording Academy announced, per the Los Angeles Times, but the show will put the focus on fire relief.
“This year’s show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours,” said Recording Academy and MusiCares Chief Executive Harvey Mason Jr. and Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt, per the Los Angeles Times.
Mason and Hurt continued, “The Grammys will not only honor the artistry and achievements of our music community but also serve as a platform to amplify the spirit of resilience that defines this great city of Los Angeles.”