The Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) is a

film critic Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films and the film medium. In general, film criticism can be divided into two categories: journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, magazines and other popular mass-media outlets ...

organization in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

. It was founded in 2016 as the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society and renamed in 2019 to Hollywood Critics Association. In 2023, the organization changed its name a second time, and rebranded its awards as The Astra Awards.

History

Organization

In 2016,

Scott Menzel Scott Dennis Menzel born November 9, 1982, is an American film critic. Menzel currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the entertainment website We Live Entertainment which he founded in 2011. Prior to We Live Entertainment, Menzel reviewed f ...

Scott Mantz Scott Alan Mantz, born 1968, is an American film critic, writer, producer and event moderator. In 2014, Mantz was the recipient of the Press Award (honoring Outstanding Entertainment Journalism) from the ICG Publicists Guild. From October 2000 ...

, and Ashley Menzel noted that Los Angeles only had one film critic organization. They founded the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society to be a critics group that is diverse and supports underrepresented voices. The group originally separated directing honors by gender. "There has been so much conversation about the power of female filmmakers and we wanted to embrace it," said Scott Mantz. On August 30, 2022, ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' reported that nine of the group's members had recently resigned, "roughly 7 percent of its membership tally just two weeks ago" as a result of one member's actions and ultimate removal "for violating numerous HCA bylaws, including harassment, bullying, slander, sharing member-only information with non-members and breaking the code of conduct." The Hollywood Critics Association has faced scrutiny and inquiries regarding its operations. On January 9, 2023, the ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...

'' placed the film awards fifteenth in a ranking of 15 events, noting its continued operation amidst the questions raised. The same source pointed out the co-founder's apparent admiration for Kristen Stewart, who received an award from the organization. On June 2, 2023, ''

'' revealed that HCA President Nikki Fowler had resigned from the organization citing a "hostile, biased" work environment. On June 14, 2023, ''

The Wrap ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' announced that the Hollywood Critics Association was going to "restructure" amid accusations of racial bias. The announcement came after Fowler went public with accusations against the executive team and board. On August 28, 2023, the organization changed its name to Hollywood Creative Alliance with the guidance of corporate operation strategist Leslie Short of the Cavu Group. Under Short's instruction, the HCA was reformed as a 501 c6 membership-based non-profit organization.

Awards history

On January 10, 2018, the group held its first annual Film Awards at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles. In early 2019, the HCA had a film discussion

podcast A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. For example, an episodic series of digital audio or video files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing ...

called "Film Critics Weekly" on the defunct online broadcasting network "Popcorn Talk". On August 29, 2021, the HCA held its inaugural Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards. The event was originally to take place in-person but was shifted to virtual due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. Ashley Menzel said, "Over these past 14 months, many of us have been watching more television than ever before. This is why we are absolutely delighted that our first in-person event for 2021 will begin with a brand-new event paying tribute to the best of television". On February 28, 2022, the HCA held its 5th Annual Film Awards at the

Avalon Hollywood Avalon (or Avalon Hollywood) is a historic nightclub in Hollywood, California, located near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, at 1735 N. Vine Street. It has previously been known as The Hollywood Playhouse, The WPA Federal Theatre, El Capit ...

Apple TV+ Apple TV is a digital media player and microconsole developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is a small network appliance hardware that plays received media data such as video and audio to a television set or external display. Since its secon ...

's ''

CODA Coda or CODA may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * Movie coda, a post-credits scene * ''Coda'' (1987 film), an Australian horror film about a serial killer, made for television *''Coda'', a 2017 American experimental film from Na ...

'' took home Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for

Troy Kotsur Troy Michael Kotsur (; born July 24, 1968) is an American actor in theater, film, and television. His supporting role in the film ''CODA'' (2021) earned him a number of accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Scr ...

Kristen Stewart Kristen Jaymes Stewart (born April 9, 1990) is an American actress. The world's highest-paid actress in 2012, she has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and a César Award, in addition to nominations for an Acad ...

won Best Actress for her role in '' Spencer'' and

Andrew Garfield Andrew Russell Garfield (born 20 August 1983) is an English and American actor. He has received various accolades, including a Tony Award, a BAFTA TV Award and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards. ''Time'' ...

won Best Actor for his performance in '' Tick, Tick... BOOM!''. On August 13 and 14, 2022, the HCA hosted their 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards at the

Beverly Hilton The Beverly Hilton is a hotel located on an property at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard, Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica boulevards in Beverly Hills, California. The Beverly Hilton has hosted many awards shows, charity ...

. The two-night event dedicated one night to broadcast and cable networks and the other to streaming platforms. Dulcé Sloan hosted night one while

Cameron Esposito Cameron Anne Young Anastasia Esposito (born October 17, 1981) is an American actor, comedian, and podcaster known for her show ''Take My Wife (2016 TV series), Take My Wife'', as well as her stand-up comedy and her podcast, ''Queery''. Esposito s ...

hosted night two. On October 13, 2022, HCA President Nikki Fowler announced the Inaugural Creative Arts Awards, "dedicated to celebrating those behind the scenes who don't often get the level of recognition they deserve." On December 15, 2022, ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' shared the list of nominations for the 6th Annual HCA Film Awards and the Inaugural HCA Creative Arts Awards noting that

A24 A24 is an American independent entertainment company that specializes in film and television production, as well as film distribution. It is based in New York City. A24 was founded in 2012 by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel and John Hodges. Pr ...

's ''

Everything Everywhere All at Once ''Everything Everywhere All at Once'' is a 2022 American absurdist comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (collectively known as "Daniels"), who produced it with Anthony and Joe Russo. The plot centers on a ...

'' leads the HCA Film Awards total nominations with 16. On February 16, 2023, The Hollywood Critics Association announced a new partnership with KNEKT Television Network where the Film Awards would be live-streamed on their network in addition to the official HCA App and

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

channel. On February 24, 2023, The 6th Annual HCA Film Awards took place at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. A24's ''Everything Everywhere All At Once'' took home a total of six awards. On June 27, 2023, ''

Awards Daily ''Awards Daily'' (formerly known as Oscarwatch) is a website primarily focused on the film industry and the film awards seasons that was established in 1999 by American editor Sasha Stone. History ''Awards Daily'' was started in 1999 by Sasha ...

'' revealed the 2023 HCA Midseason Movie Awards nominees.

Amazon Studios Amazon Studios is an American television and film producer and distributor that is a subsidiary of Amazon. It specializes in developing television series and distributing and producing films. It was started in late 2010. Content is distributed th ...

' ''

Air The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

'' and A24's ''

Past Lives Reincarnation, also known as rebirth or transmigration, is the Philosophy, philosophical or Religion, religious concept that the non-physical essence of a living being begins a new life in a different physical form or physical body, body after ...

'' tied for the most nominations with seven each. On June 30, 2023, ''

Gold Derby Penske Media Corporation (PMC) () is an American digital media, publishing, and information services company based in Los Angeles and New York City. It publishes more than 20 digital and print brands, including ''Variety'', ''Rolling Stone'', '' ...

'' revealed the 2023 HCA Midseason Movie Awards winners. '' Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'' was awarded Best Picture and Best Director. ''Past Lives'' won the most awards with three wins, including Best Actress for

Greta Lee Greta Jiehan Lee (born March 7, 1983) is an American actress. Early life Lee was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her parents are Korean immigrants. While attending Harvard-Westlake School, she became interested in the performing art ...

, Best Screenplay for

Celine Song Celine Song (; born 1988) is a Korean-Canadian director, playwright, and screenwriter based in the United States. Among her plays are ''Endlings'' and ''The Seagull on The Sims 4.'' Her directorial film debut ''Past Lives'' was nominated for sever ...

, and Best Indie Film. In December 2023, HCA renamed its awards to The Astra Awards.

Board of directors

The board of directors and officers of the organization, as of 2023, are: * Scott Menzel, President & CEO * Yong Chavez, Vice Chair * Jeandra LeBeauf, Head of Member Engagement * Morgan Rojas, Secretary * Louis Valentine, Treasurer

Fund-raising

In 2020, the Hollywood Critics Association organized a Film & Television Triviathon to collect funds for Covid-19 recovery.

Film Award categories

Each December, the association releases the nominations for the HCA Film Awards, which are held in January of the following year.

Current categories

*Best Picture (since 2017) *Best Actor (since 2017) *Best Actress (since 2017) *Best Supporting Actor (since 2017) *Best Supporting Actress (since 2017) *Best Animated or VFX Performance (since 2017) *Best Original Screenplay (since 2017) *Best Adapted Screenplay (since 2017) *Best Action Film (since 2017) *Best Animated Film (since 2017) *Best Documentary (since 2017) *Best Indie Film (since 2017) *Best Foreign Film (since 2017) *Best First Feature (since 2017) *Best Stunts (since 2017) *Best Ensemble Cast (since 2018) *Best Original Song (since 2018) *Best Horror (since 2019) *Best Short Film (since 2020) *Best Director (since 2021) *Best Comedy (since 2022)

Discontinued categories

*Best Blockbuster (2017 to 2019) *Best Cinematography (2017 to 2021) *Best Comedy or Musical (2017 to 2021) *Best Editing (2017 to 2021) *Best Female Director (2017 to 2020) *Best Male Director (2017 to 2020) *Best Sci-Fi/Horror (2017 to 2018) *Best Score (2017 to 2021) *Best Visual Effects (2017 to 2021) *Best Costume Design (2019 to 2021) *Best Hair & Makeup (2019 to 2021) *Best Production Design (2020 to 2021)

Honorary Awards

*Trailblazer Award (since 2017) *Newcomer Award (since 2018) *Acting Achievement Award (since 2018) *Filmmaking Achievement Award (since 2019) *Artisans Achievement Award (since 2019) *Game Changer Award (since 2019) *Star on the Rise (since 2019) *Filmmaker on the Rise (since 2019) *Inspire Award (since 2019) *Spotlight Award (since 2019) *Timeless Award (since 2020)

End of a Decade Awards

*Filmmaker of the Decade Award (2019 only) *Actress of the Decade Award (2019 only) *Actor of the Decade Award (2019 only) *Producer of the Decade Award (2019 only) *Next Generation Award

Midseason Award categories

Halfway through the year, the association releases the nominations for the HCA Midseason Film Awards, which honor films that come out in the first half of the respected year. The nominations are announced the last week of June, and winners are announced the first week of July.

Current Categories

*Best Picture (since 2018) *Best Actor (since 2018) *Best Actress (since 2018) *Best Supporting Actor (since 2018) *Best Supporting Actress (since 2018) *Most Anticipated Film (since 2018) *Best Indie Film (since 2019) *Best Director (since 2021) *Best Screenplay (since 2021) *Best Horror (since 2022) *Best Stunts (since 2023)

Discontinued categories

*Best Female Director (2018 to 2020) *Best Male Director (2018 to 2020) *Best Original Screenplay (2018 to 2020) *Best Adapted Screenplay (2018 to 2020) *Best Documentary (2020 only)

TV Award categories

The Hollywood Critics Association announced that they were launching the HCA TV Awards on March 24, 2021. The inaugural TV awards ceremony took place on August 22, 2021. The following is a list of the current and discontinued categories of the television awards as of 2023.

Current categories

*Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Actress in a Streaming Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Broadcast Network Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Broadcast Network Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Cable Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Cable Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Streaming Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2021) *Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Drama (since 2021) *Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Actor in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Actress in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Broadcast Network or Cable Live-Action Television Movie (since 2022) *Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy (since 2022) *Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama (since 2022) *Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2022) *Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Drama (since 2022) *Best Directing in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Streaming Movie (since 2022) *Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cables Series, Comedy (since 2022) *Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama (since 2022) *Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022) *Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Comedy (since 2022) *Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Drama (since 2022) *Best Writing in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series (since 2022)

Discontinued categories

*Best Broadcast Network or Cable Docuseries, Documentary Television Movie, or Non-Fiction Series (2021 to 2022) *Best Broadcast Network or Cable Sketch Series, Variety Series, Talk Show or Comedy/Variety Special (2021 to 2022) *Best Streaming Docuseries, Documentary Television Movie, or Non-Fiction Series (2021 to 2022) *Best Streaming Variety Sketch Series, Talk Series, or Special (2021 to 2022) *Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Animated Series or Animated Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series or Live-Action Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Broadcast Network Reality Series, Competition Series, or Game Show (2021 only) *Best Cable or Streaming Reality Series, Competition Series, or Game Show (2021 only) *Best Streaming Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Live-Action Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Streaming Sketch Series, Variety Series, Talk Show, or Comedy/Variety Special (2021 only) *Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie (2021 only) *Best Broadcast Network or Cable Animated Series or Television Movie (2022 only) *Best Broadcast Network or Cable Reality Show or Competition Series (2022 only) *Best Comedy or Standup Special (2022 only) *Best Game Show (2022 only) *Best International Series (2022 only) *Best Short Form Animation Series (2022 only) *Best Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (2022 only) *Best Short Form Documentary or Non-Fiction Series (2022 only) *Best Streaming Animated Series or Television Movie (2022 only) *Best Streaming Reality Show or Competition Series (2022 only)

Honorary Awards

*Legacy Award (since 2021) *Virtuoso Award (since 2021) *Impact Award (since 2021) *TV Icon Award (since 2021) *Pop Culture Icon Award (since 2021) *TV Breakout Star Award (since 2021) *Spotlight Award (since 2021)

Creative Arts Film categories

The Hollywood Critics Association announced the launch of the HCA Creative Arts Film Awards on October 13, 2022. The inaugural Creative Awards Awards ceremony took place on February 24, 2023. The following is a list of the current categories of the Creative Arts Film awards as of 2022.

Current categories

* Best Casting Director (since 2022) * Best Cinematography (since 2022) * Best Costume Design (since 2022) * Best Editing (since 2022) * Best Hair & Make-Up (since 2022) * Best Marketing Campaign (since 2022) * Best Production Design (since 2022) * Best Score (since 2022) * Best Sound (since 2022) * Best Visual Effects (since 2022)

Creative Arts TV categories

Along with announcement of the 3rd HCA TV Awards, the Hollywood Critics Association announced the launch of the HCA Creative Arts TV Awards along with the TV awards, the inaugural Creative Awards TV Awards does not have a confirmed ceremony date due to the WGA strike and SAG/AFTRA strike. The following is a list of the current categories of the Creative Arts awards as of 2023.

Current categories

* Best Broadcast Network or Cable Animated Series or Television Movie (since 2023) * Best Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Special (since 2023) * Best Broadcast Network or Cable Documentary TV Movie (since 2023) * Best Broadcast Network or Cable Docuseries or Non-Fiction Series (since 2023) * Best Broadcast Network Reality Show or Competition Series (since 2023) * Best Cable Reality Show or Competition Series (since 2023) * Best Casting in a Limited Series or TV Movie (since 2023) * Best Casting in a Series, Comedy (since 2023) * Best Casting in a Series, Drama (since 2023) * Best Contemporary Costumes (since 2023) * Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Costumes (since 2023) * Best Game Show (since 2023) * Best Guest Actor in a Series, Comedy (since 2023) * Best Guest Actor in a Series, Drama (since 2023) * Best Guest Actress in a Series, Comedy (since 2023) * Best Guest Actress in a Series, Drama (since 2023) * Best International Series (since 2023) * Best Main Title Design (since 2023) * Best Original Song (since 2023) * Best Period Costumes (since 2023) * Best Score in a Comedy Series (since 2023) * Best Score in a Drama Series (since 2023) * Best Score in a Limited Series or TV Movie (since 2023) * Best Short Form Series (since 2023) * Best Streaming Animated Series or Television Movie (since 2023) * Best Streaming Comedy Special (since 2023) * Best Streaming Documentary Movie (since 2023) * Best Streaming Docuseries or Non-Fiction Series (since 2023) * Best Streaming Reality Show or Competition Series (since 2023) * Best Stunts (since 2023) * Best Talk Show (since 2023) * Best Variety Series or Variety Special (since 2023) * Best Voice-Over Performance (since 2023)

Award ceremonies

Film

* 2017 * 2018 *

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...

2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...

2022 File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...

2023 Events Predicted and scheduled events * January 1 ** In the United States, books, films, and other works published in 1927 will enter the public domain, assuming there are no changes made to copyright law. ** Croatia will adopt the eu ...

Midseason

* 2018 * 2019 * 2020 * 2021 *

TV

Creative Arts Film

Creative Arts TV

References

External links

* * * {{American film critic org 2016 establishments in California American film critics associations Cinema of Southern California Arts organizations based in California Culture of Los Angeles Mass media in Los Angeles Organizations based in Los Angeles