While the coronavirus pandemic has presented major challenges for many of us, a small silver lining in the world of film shone through yesterday, as it was announced that eligibility requirements for foreign films at the Golden Globes would temporarily be eased.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organisation of Los Angeles-based journalists for outlets based abroad, said that because of the pandemic it would be easing qualifying requirements for 2020 films made outside of the US in a language other than English.
Usually, foreign-language films "must be first released in their country of origin during the 15-month period from October 1 to December 31 prior to the awards". Now, however, it has been declared that films "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".
That could mean the film is released in theatres, via video-on-demand or another television format and it will still be eligible for the Golden Globe award for best foreign language film.
This comes on the back of a similar announcement made on March 26 suspending the rule that a film had to be screened for HFPA members at a third-party facility in the greater LA area.
'Parasite' by director Bong Joon-ho won best foreign language film at the Golden Globes 2020. AFP
Instead of in-person screenings, distributors of foreign-language films must contact the HFPA to arrange a screening date and provide a link or DVD so members might view it at home. "This alternate screening procedure is in effect from March 15 until a date to be determined by HFPA when cinemas in the Los Angeles area have generally reopened," it said.
Further rules may be amended as the association continues to assess the current situation and its affect on cinema, it added.
The Golden Globes take place annually, with 2020's ceremony held on January 6. The award for best foreign language film went to Parasite .
Although it has been announced that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the 93rd Golden Globes, a date for the awards ceremony has not been confirmed.
Take a look through this photo gallery of the 2020 ceremony's best red-carpet looks:
Jennifer Aniston arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. AFP
Jonathan Pryce and wife Kathy Fahy arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Annabelle Wallis arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Helen Mirren arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020. AFP
Margot Robbie arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Lauren Graham arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge chose a tailored suit for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Reese Witherspoon arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Award. AFP
Actress Jodie Comer wowed in emerald for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. AFP
US-Egyptian actor Rami Malek and actress Lucy Boynton arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Naomi Watts arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
Zoe Kravitz arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Cate Blanchett arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Billy Porter chose all white for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Jennifer Lopez arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Actress Kerry Washington arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Shailene Woodley arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Thomasin McKenzie arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
US actress Natasha Lyonne arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. AFP
Saoirse Ronan arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Singer and actress Taylor Swift chose a floral gown for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel. AFP
Charlize Theron went for a bright green and black gown for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Leonardo DiCaprio arrives on the Golden Globes red carpet. AFP
Scarlett Johansson arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Comedian and host Ellen DeGeneres arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Renee Zellweger wears powder blue for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Christina Applegate arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
Model Winnie Harlow arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
US actor Ben Platt arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Kaitlyn Dever arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
Brad Pitt arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Laura Dern arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
US comedian Ramy Youssef arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Tiffany Haddish on the Golden Globes red carpet at The Beverly Hilton hotel in California. AFP
Brad Pitt arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
US actress Rachel Brosnahan and husband, actor Jason Ralph, arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Leonardo DiCaprio arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
Actress Awkwafina arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Actress Sienna Miller arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Daniel Craig arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
US actor Bill Hader and actress Rachel Bilson arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Actor Jason Momoa and wife Lisa Bonet arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Idina Menzel arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
US film director Quentin Tarantino arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
Actress Rachel Bilson arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020, at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. / AFP / VALERIE MACON
Salma Hayek arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Nicole Kidman arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. EPA
Samantha Bryant, Colin Hanks, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, Chet Hanks, and Truman Theodore Hanks arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
Gugu Mbatha-Raw arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Bernie Taupin arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
Margaret Qualley arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Actress Lucy Boynton arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020, at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. / AFP / VALERIE MACON
Michelle Williams and Thomas Kail arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Olivia Colman arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
US actress Merritt Wever arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
US actor Adam Driver and wife, actress Joanne Tucker, arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Tobias Menzies arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
Beanie Feldstein arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
Rose Leslie and Kit Harington arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
British actor Taron Egerton and Emily Thomas arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Sofia Vergara arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
US actress Glenn Close arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP
Elton John and David Furnish arrive for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards. EPA
Pedro Almodovar arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. EPA
Updated: May 09, 2020, 6:45 AM