The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has extended until further notice its rule change allowing films that launch first on a streaming service or a “television format” to be eligible for Golden Globes consideration while cinemas remain closed.
In lieu of in-person screenings at theatres or third-party screening rooms amid the Covid-19 pandemic, distributors must contact the HFPA to arrange a screening date on the official HFPA calendar that meets eligibility timing requirements (no later than one week after the release of English-language film in Los Angeles), and by that date, must provide all HFPA members with a screening link or a DVD copy of the film so members can view it at home.
According to the rule change announced on Tuesday (April 28), films that had a bona fide theatrical release planned to begin in Los Angeles during the period from March 15 until a date to be determined by HFPA when cinemas in the Los Angeles area have generally reopened, may instead be released first on a television format (streaming service, subscription cable channel, broadcast television, etc.) and will still be eligible for Golden Globe motion picture awards.
Films may continue to be released on pay-per-view cable or digital delivery.
The rule change, which extends an earlier tweak announced last month, is in effect from March 15 until a date to be determined by HFPA when cinemas in the Los Angeles area have generally reopened.
The HFPA’s reminders list committee will consider the application of this suspension of the rules on a case-by-case basis when compiling the annual Golden Globe reminders list in autumn.
The group will continue to assess the impact of the pandemic on film distribution and exhibition and may make other temporary variations to those rules as it considers appropriate in the future.
The Academy’s board of governors is meeting on Tuesday to discuss changes to its Oscar eligibility rules.
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