Although nominations for the 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards have already been announced, Deadline reports that the Broadcast Film Critics Association is considering the unprecedented move of adding Star Wars: The Force Awakens to the Best Picture category.
The reason the seventh Star Wars installment was snubbed to begin with has to do with the tight lid that Disney kept on the film prior to release. While press junkets including screenings are usually held weeks in advance of release — which would have met the BFCA’s nomination deadline — no one was allowed to see The Force Awakens until after its official premiere on Monday, December 14th. Incidentally, the same situation caused AFI to postpone voting until members could see the film which was then named one of the year’s 10 best.
Deadline reports that BFCA members received the following memo asking for their thoughts on including Star Wars in this year’s nominations:
To the BFCA Membership,
In the wake of an unprecedented cry out from you – the BFCA Membership – the Board of Directors has decided to poll the membership on Monday to determine whether we should add “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to our list of Critics’ Choice Award nominees for Best Picture.
The question will be: If you had seen “The Force Awakens” before casting your Critics’ Choice Awards ballot, would you have included it in your five choices for Best Picture?
As you know, the studio chose not to screen the film for awards voters in advance of its premiere on Monday. However, our purpose in presenting the Critics’ Choice Awards is to celebrate the finest cinematic achievements of the year. It appears that many members believe “The Force Awakens” deserves to be included.
In this unique situation, we think this is the best way to proceed.
Onward and upward!
The Critics’ Choice Awards will air live January 17 on A&E, Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network with or without the Force.