Hollywood Events Postponed as Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A series of devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County has forced the postponement or cancellation of numerous high-profile Hollywood events, including award shows, film premieres, and television tapings. The fires, which began on January 7, 2025, have displaced tens of thousands of residents and destroyed over 1,000 structures, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency responses.

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for January 12 and hosted by Chelsea Handler, has been postponed indefinitely. Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin stated, ‘This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.’

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also delayed its Oscar nominations announcement from January 17 to January 19, extending the voting deadline to January 14. Similarly, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) postponed its nominations announcement to January 13.

Television productions have been significantly disrupted. Shows like ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and ‘After Midnight‘ canceled tapings, while major studios, including Warner Bros. and NBCUniversal, halted production on series such as ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Hacks,’ and ‘Suits: L.A.’

Actress and activist Jane Fonda urged the entertainment industry to redirect funds from televised award shows to fire victims and first responders. ‘With ALL due respect, during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have garnered to the victims of the fires and the firefighters,’ Fonda wrote on Instagram.

Other postponed events include the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Tea Party, the AFI Awards luncheon, and the Los Angeles premiere of Pamela Anderson‘s documentary, ‘The Last Showgirl.’ The Los Angeles Lakers also rescheduled their January 9 game due to safety concerns.

As firefighters continue to battle the blazes, the entertainment industry remains in a state of flux, with many events rescheduled indefinitely. The fires, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and prolonged drought conditions, have underscored the vulnerability of Southern California to climate-driven disasters.