A new critics group can potentially struggle to separate themselves from the pack. Thankfully, the Hollywood Critics Association (or HCA, for short) does not have that problem. Chairman and founder Scott Menzel (full disclosure, an industry colleague and friend of mine) has managed to do a lot in a very small amount of time. So, when the Hollywood Critics Association hands out their awards, they’re very much worth paying attention to. This time around, they’re announcing in waves, with this first wave for the 4th Annual HCA Awards Ceremony citing their honorary awards. Among the citations are Sidney Flanigan and Aubrey Plaza, which are inspired choices. Read on for more… Here’s the HCA press release: The Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) announced today their first wave of honorary awards for the 4th Annual HCA Awards Ceremony taking place in Los Angeles on March 5, 2021. Each year, the HCA presents a series of honorary awards highlighting actors, filmmakers, and artisans whose impressive work for the year demands recognition. “Even in this strange and unusual year, there is so much to celebrate in terms of achievements in cinema. 2020 offered the world a wide variety of films with a big focus on inclusivity and underrepresented voices,” notes HCA’s Vice-Chair Ashley Menzel. As an organization, the HCA has always made it part of their mission to be inclusive, not only with their membership but also with the talent they embrace each and every year. “When you hear about the lack of representation in the entertainment industry, that is something that we as an organization take very seriously. This organization has always taken great pride in being inclusive since day one. We believe that natural inclusivity has always been and will continue to be reflective in all of our nominees, winners, and honorees,” adds HCA Chairman Scott Menzel. Two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Dante Spinotti (Fatale, Black and Blue, Heat) will receive the organization’s first-ever “Timeless Award,” which is their take on the Lifetime Achievement Award. Sound of Metal’s Paul Raci will be honored with “Breakthrough Performance Actor” while Cristin Milioti will receive “Breakthrough Performance Actress” for her role in Neon and Hulu’s existential comedy, Palm Springs. This year’s “Acting Achievement Award” will go to Aubrey Plaza for her tour-de-force performance in Momentum Pictures’ Black Bear. Nicole Beharie will receive this year’s “Game-Changer Award” for her profound performance in Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth. Academy Award-winning […]