Golden Globes changes foreign-language eligibility rules due to Coronavirus crisis

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has updated its rules for Golden Globes submission and eligibility, along with a few minor twists to reflect the changes in the film and TV industries due to coronavirus pandemic. The HFPA alters the rules annually, as a result of what happened the previous year, and many of these changes reflect the nominations and wins.

According to Variety, HFPA has announced that foreign language films will not need a theatrical release in their own country to be eligible for the 2021 Golden Globes.

Earlier the rule stated that foreign films must be released in their country of origin during the 15-month period from 1 October to 31 December prior to the awards.

The temporary new rule is: "Foreign-language motion pictures that had a bona fide theatrical release planned to begin in their country of origin during the period from March 15 until a date to be determined by HFPA when cinemas in that country have generally reopened, may instead be released in any country in any format (e.g. a motion picture format such as in theatres or on pay-per-view or a television format such as subscription streaming service, subscription cable channel, broadcast television, etc.) and will still be eligible for the Golden Globe foreign-language motion picture awards".

Also, the movies will not be screened for HFPA members in a theatre or screening room, but the distributors of these films will have to get in touch with the HFPA to arrange a screening date on the official HFPA calendar and provide all the members with a screening link or a DVD copy of the film to make it possible for the members to view it at home.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the 93rd Golden Globes. No date for the awards ceremony has been announced yet.