The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced a delay in the release of its annual award nominations due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. The nominations, which were originally set to be unveiled this week, will now be announced on Monday, January 13, 2025, as the city grapples with a state of emergency.
In a joint statement, the WGA West and WGA East explained the decision, stating, “With Los Angeles under a state of emergency due to multiple wildfires, we will be delaying the announcement of nominees until Monday, January 13, 2025.”
This decision comes as the wildfires, fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, continue to pose a threat to areas such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and parts of the San Fernando Valley. The fires have also disrupted several major Hollywood events.
In response to the fires, other events have been impacted as well. The SAG Awards reduced their nominations announcement to a press release, while the Oscars extended their voting period and nominations announcement by two days, now set for January 19. The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for this Sunday in Santa Monica, have been postponed to January 26.
Despite the adjustments to the nominations timeline, the 77th annual WGA Awards will still proceed as planned on February 15, 2025. The awards ceremony will take place simultaneously at the Edison Ballroom in New York City and the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Honorary awards will be presented to Bill Lawrence, Scott Frank, and Kathy McGee at the WGA East ceremony.