NBC eventually canceled the Golden Globes show for 2022 to allow the HFPA time to institute a long list of reforms, which started back in April, even as some of its members protested the changes. That’s because all members had to reapply for membership under stringent eligibility requirements that demanded proof of active employment, whether freelance or staff. Perhaps surprisingly, all were accepted in September — before a new credentials committee came on board to vet new applicants. All will have to reapply every year. Rejected applicants will be given training, mentorship, and support programs to revitalize their resumes and come up to speed for the next round of acceptances next year.
And lo and behold, after decades of holding off hordes of eager applicants who might actually compete with them for stories, the hidebound HFPA, with the help of a diverse recruiting committee, has admitted 21 new members, increasing their members by 20 percent. Now the total membership of 105 are 57.1 percent women, 17.1 percent Asian, 11.4 percent Latinx, and 5.7 percent Black. They no longer have to live in Southern California or write for print publications. The new recruits live all over the United States, and can file their reports (or now, photography) for any foreign television, radio, print, or online outlet. New members can immediately vote on the Golden Globes, participate in board elections, and serve on committees. The HFPA will continue to welcome new members every year, and will now disclose the names, country representation, and the diversity demographics of its membership. Christopher Polk/NBC
“We are thrilled to welcome these new members into our family, said HFPA President Helen Hoehne. “We are building a new organization, one that is not focused on fulfilling quotas, but instead has diversity and inclusion at its core, has ethical conduct as the norm, and has people of color involved in every aspect of the Association — from membership to executive leadership. That is how we’re growing an inclusive environment, and for us to make this much progress in six months is a testament to our membership and our dedication to building something better.” (See new member list below.) This instantly morphs a cabal of veteran media, many of whom had lost their cultural relevance, into a more vital organization, and assuming the Golden Globes show returns in January 2023, a changed awards show as well. That all depends on how press agents and studios react to the more diverse new membership and other changes. There are now people of color at every decision making level within the organization. This radical change is accompanied by other reforms, including a set of bylaws passed by members in August revamping the organization’s governance structure, a new Board of Directors with three outside non-members, eliminating barriers for future members, banning gifts and restricting paid travel, and holding all members accountable for their actions: all members must sign a new code of ethical conduct, and complete Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. Members will continue to participate in monthly DEI workshops as organized by DEI consultants, and complete mandatory sexual harassment training. Any grievances will be dealt with by an independent law firm. Following on the heels of the membership announcement is news that an interim Chief Executive Officer will take over until a new one is named: sports entrepreneur Todd Boehly, who owns Dick Clark Productions, which produces the Globes and has a considerable stake in their continued success. Boehly has been front and center in helping the HFPA to fashion their new profile. Coming up: a new Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer. Here’s a list of implemented changes at the HFPA: Three non-member Directors: Sharlette Hambrick, Jeff Harris, and Dr. Joanna Dodd Massey. Twelve member Directors: Gabriel Lerman, Sabrina Joshi, Yukiko Nakajima, Scott Orlin, Kirpi Uimonen, Henry Arnaud, Barbara de Oliveira Pinto, Barbara Gasser, Tina Johnk Christensen, Greet Ramaekers, and Armando Gallo. New Credentials Committee and Advisory Board to oversee the new member selection process; the credentials committee includes third parties from credible journalistic and other organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Any Credentials Committee member with a potential conflict, such as a nominee who is also a journalist in the same territory as an existing member, must be recused from voting on that nominee. Credentials Committee: HFPA members Michele Manelis, Barbaros Tapan, and Alessandra Venezia, and five non-members Tre’Vell Anderson, Terry Anzur, Bel Hernandez, Toni Moston, and Dr. Allissa Richardson. Advisory Board: Shaka McGlotten, Santiago Pozo, and Paula Williams Madison. Each year, all current members will be required to meet the standards as incoming members to be re-accredited. Journalists outside of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) are now eligible. The sponsorship requirement no longer exists. Membership Breakdown (does not include demographics for outside Board members) 105 Total Members 45 Men 42.9% 60 Women 57.1% 6 Black 5.7% 12 Latinx 11.4% 18 Asian 17.1% 9 Middle E. 8.6% 58 White 55.2% 3 LGBTQ 2.9% 21 New Members 48% identify as women; 29% identify as Black; 24% identify as Asian; 29% identify as Latinx; 19% identify as Middle Eastern/North African. The members of the HFPA Class of 2021 are: Raffi Boghosian, Al Arabiya Kelley Carter, ESPN (Global) David Caspi, Israel Hayom Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN Andrés Correa Guatarasma, El Universal Earl Gibson III, Getty Images Eun Seon Ha, KOFIC Hamdy Howaida, Al Akhbar Itsuko Hirai, Movie Walker Press K.J. Matthews, DW-TV Juan Navarro, Televisa Jânio Carlos Vieira Nazareth, Cinépop Ruben Peralta-Rigaud, SensaCine Gerardo Prat, ¡HOLA! TV Kimberly Reyes, Film Ireland Mico Saad, TeN TV Asel Sherniyazova, AKIpress News Agency Gabriel Silva Lamboglia, El País Miriam Spritzer, L’Officiel Brasil Mario Pacheco Székely, El Universal Yuko Yoshikawa, Cinema Today Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
