Producers Guild of America Awards 2021: Guild Alters Eligibility Rules in Wake of COVID-19

PGA will allow films to qualify with streaming and VOD premieres

The Producers Guild of America will temporarily waive the theatrical screening requirement as part of their awards qualifications.

To normally qualify for Guild awards, films must have some sort of theatrical release. However, in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, they will allow films with “commercial streaming or VOD service” premieres to qualify, as well. As of this writing, all of the Guild’s other eligibility requirements remain in place.

The Guild cites the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Oscars rules change as precedent for their own adjustment. Other awards organizations have also been altering their qualifications in the wake of the pandemic, such as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and their Golden Globe Awards.

“Each year, the PGA has the privilege to honor outstanding achievements in our field and celebrate the inspiring producers behind them,” said PGA presidents Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher in a joint statement. “The current realities mandate that we make the necessary adjustments so that every deserving producer has the opportunity for their hard work and excellence to be recognized.”

It’s not sure how long the Guild will keep to these relaxed guidelines. Both the Academy and the Hollywood Foreign Press have their alterations put in place until further notice. Given the significant clout of those two shows, it’s safe to assume the PGA will follow suit.

The Producers Guild of America was established in 1950 and provides union services for producers in the entertainment industry. The Guild has been giving out annual awards since 1990 to honor artistic excellence in both film and television. In the film world they are seen as a harbinger for the Best Picture Oscar, as 21 of its 31 winners have gone on to claim the statuette. (This past year being one of the 10 exceptions, as the PGA winner 1917 lost the Best Picture Oscar to Parasite.)

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