Among the many changes that we’re seeing due to the Coronavirus outbreak and ensuing pandemic, look for the awards season to be impacted to some degree. A lot of that remains to be seen, but one of the first dominos has fallen, as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has announced modified eligibility rules. Essentially, these are temporary measures being taken in order to give films and television shows a fair shake at the Golden Globes, when the ceremony is being held. In particular, the movies no longer will be required to screen for HFPA members in a theater, at least for the time being. You can read more below, but it’s interesting to consider how far reaching this all is. Here is the official press release: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is announcing temporary measures to adjust the requirements for Golden Globe Awards eligibility due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic on motion picture and television distribution and exhibition. Below are the original eligibility rules for motion pictures: Official Motion Picture Screenings: To be eligible for Golden Globe motion picture awards, an official screening of the motion picture must be arranged for all HFPA members. All members qualified to vote for Golden Globe Awards must be invited to an official screening of the eligible motion picture at a third-party facility in the greater Los Angeles area. Screenings for English-language motion pictures may take place at any time before release and must be completed by one week after the release of the motion picture in the greater Los Angeles area. These rules have been provisionally modified: In light of the closure of all theatres and screening rooms in Los Angeles, the requirement that a motion picture release must be screened for HFPA members in a theatre or screening room is temporarily suspended. In lieu of such in-person screenings: 1) distributors must contact the HFPA to arrange a screening date on the official HFPA calendar that meets the timing requirements of the Golden Globes eligibility rules (i.e. not later than one week after the release of English-language motion pictures in Los Angeles); and 2) by that date, distributors must provide all HFPA members with a screening link or a DVD copy of the motion picture so that members may view it at home. This alternate screening procedure is in effect from March 15 until April 30, 2020, with this period […]