Hollywood Foreign Press Association Behind the Golden Globes Ends Activities After 80 Years

Boycotted Over Corruption and Racial·Gender Discrimination Controversies
Award Ceremony Maintained... Billboard Operator Hosts

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which has hosted the Golden Globe Awards?considered one of the most prestigious film industry honors in the United States alongside the Academy Awards?has decided to cease its activities. After controversies involving racial and gender discrimination and corruption, which even led to boycotts, the HFPA has handed over all rights and assets related to the Golden Globes to an asset management company, marking the end of its 80-year history.

[Image source=Reuters News]

According to the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 12th (local time), the California-based nonprofit HFPA announced that it would transfer all assets, rights, and properties related to the Golden Globes to asset management firm Eldridge and Dick Clark Productions. Although specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, CNBC reported that it was made clear that HFPA membership would no longer be maintained.

The Golden Globe Awards began in 1944 to raise funds for the HFPA, with winners and actors selected by votes from 93 HFPA members. The HFPA membership mainly consists of freelance entertainment journalists. In January 2020, the Korean film Parasite became the first Korean film to win the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, followed by Minari winning the same award the next year.

Despite maintaining an 80-year history, the HFPA ultimately ended its activities amid controversies over racial and gender discrimination and corruption that had arisen in recent years.

The HFPA, with only 87 members, had long been criticized for opaque financial management. In 2019, about 30 members went on a lavish trip to Paris sponsored by Paramount, which caused issues, and in 2021, a corruption scandal broke out.

Moreover, controversies over racial and gender discrimination persisted. It was revealed that there was not a single Black member among the HFPA members, and in 2021, the film Minari was classified as a foreign language film, excluding it from nominations for Best Picture, Director, and Acting awards, which caused problems. Famous Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, a former HFPA member, called for a boycott, stating that she had been subjected to sexist questions and sexual harassment by HFPA members.

As a result, a strong boycott movement against the 2021 Golden Globes took place. NBC, which had broadcast the ceremony annually, refused to air it. Major Hollywood studios such as Warner Bros., Netflix, and Amazon Studios also joined the boycott. Although the HFPA proposed reform plans and promised change, it failed to convince the Hollywood film industry, leading to the end of its 80-year history.

Despite the HFPA’s cessation of activities, the Golden Globe Awards will continue. Dick Clark Productions, which operates the Billboard Music Awards, will take over planning, production, and hosting. Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, said, "Our mission is to continue producing the most dynamic awards show broadcast live worldwide."

The next Golden Globe Awards ceremony is scheduled for January 7 of next year. The company also announced that a portion of the revenue generated from the Golden Globe Awards will continue to support the charitable activities previously conducted by the HFPA.