How does a film win a Golden Globe Award before it has been released?
—Janice S., Texas
All eligible films, including those that haven’t been released yet to the public, are screened for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which selects the winners in Hollywood, where its 90 members are based, says Michael Russell, a publicist for the Golden Globes. The awards program, which began in 1944 with movie awards for motion picture and leading and supporting actors and actresses, began honoring television achievements in 1955. In 2004, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won best dramatic film, best director and two other trophies. The awards, which always are broadcast before the Academy Awards, are closely watched as an indicator of what films are likely to win an Oscar. The 2005 Golden Globes air on NBC on Jan. 16.
