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Hollywood Creative Alliance

Formation	2016; 8 years ago (2016)
Founder	Scott Menzel
Purpose	To amplify diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culture within the world of entertainment.
Location	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
CEO	Scott Menzel
Website	hollywoodcreative.org
Formerly called	Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society Hollywood Critics Association

The Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) is a 501 c6 membership-based non-profit organization of critics, entertainment journalists, content creators, industry influencers, and creatives.^[1] The vision and mission of the HCA is to amplify diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culture within the world of entertainment. It was founded in 2016 as the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society and renamed in 2019 to Hollywood Critics Association.^[2] In 2023, Hollywood Critics Association ceased operations and a new organization called Hollywood Creative Alliance took its place, with its awards called the Astra Awards.^[3]

In 2016, Scott Menzel, Scott Mantz, and Ashley Menzel noted that Los Angeles only had one film critic organization.^[4] They founded the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society to be a critics group that is diverse and supports underrepresented voices.^[4] The group originally separated directing honors by gender.^[5] "There has been so much conversation about the power of female filmmakers and we wanted to embrace it," said Scott Mantz.^[6]

In early 2019, the organization had a film discussion podcast called "Film Critics Weekly" on the defunct online broadcasting network "Popcorn Talk".^[7]

In 2019, the organization rebranded as Hollywood Critics Association.^[2]

On May 15, 2020, the organization organized a Film & Television Triviathon to collect funds for COVID-19 recovery.^[8]

On August 9, 2022, The Hollywood Critics Association partnered with Petco Love and Big Love Animal Rescue to turn their television awards ceremonies into a two-night rescue animal adoption event. “We hope to shine a spotlight on shelter dogs and help a few of them find their forever homes,” adds HCA Co-Founder, Ashley Menzel. “When you rescue a dog, they are forever grateful. Dogs know you saved them and they share their love unconditionally every single day. We are so glad to be hosting this adoption event as it is a cause that is very near and dear to our hearts.”^[9]

On August 30, 2022, The Hollywood Reporter 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."^[10] The claims made in the THR article were debunked in June of 2024 via court documents posted by Variety. ^[11]

On June 2, 2023, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that HCA President Nikki Fowler had resigned from the organization.^[12] On June 14, 2023, The Wrap announced that the Hollywood Critics Association is restructuring and bringing in a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor.^[13]

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.^[3] Under Short's instruction, the HCA was reformed as a 501 c6 membership-based non-profit organization.^[14][15][16]

The restructure, handled by Menzel with the guidance of corporate operation strategist Leslie Short of the Cavu Group, included a mostly new board and an expansion of its membership scope, which it described as “critics, entertainment journalists, content creators, industry influencers and creatives.” ^[17]

On October 4, 2023, Deadline reported that the Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) added new stunt performer and international categories. With the new categories, the HCA has said it aims to “promote stunt performers crucial role in bringing action-packed sequences to life on screen.” The organization has teamed with producer and editor David Sandeep Robert (Hollywood’s Hard Hitters), filmmaker Jason Strickland, and executive producer Leonard Shapiro to enact the changes. ^[18]

On January 10, 2018, the group held its first annual Film Awards at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles.^[19] 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.^[20] 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".^[21]

On February 28, 2022, the HCA held its 5th Annual Film Awards at the Avalon Hollywood. Apple TV+'s CODA took home Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur. Kristen Stewart won Best Actress for her role in Spencer and Andrew Garfield won Best Actor for his performance in Tick, Tick... BOOM!.^[22] On August 13 and 14, 2022, the HCA hosted their 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards at the Beverly Hilton. 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 hosted night two.^[23]

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."^[24] On December 15, 2022, Variety shared the list of nominations for the 6th Annual HCA Film Awards and the Inaugural HCA Creative Arts Awards noting that A24's Everything Everywhere All at Once leads the HCA Film Awards total nominations with 16.^[25] 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 channel.^[26]

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.^[27] On June 27, 2023, Awards Daily revealed the 2023 HCA Midseason Movie Awards nominees.^[28] Amazon Studios' Air and A24's Past Lives tied for the most nominations with seven each. On June 30, 2023, Gold Derby revealed the 2023 HCA Midseason Movie Awards winners.^[29] 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, Best Screenplay for Celine Song, and Best Indie Film.

In December 2023, HCA renamed its awards to the Astra Awards.^[3] The nominations for the 2024 Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards were announced on December 7, 2023 by Yong Chavez, Jeandra LeBeauf, Morgan Rojas, Ms. Marvel star Anjali Bhimani and Melora Hardin from Golden Vanity.^[30] HCA hosted their Astra Film Awards on January 6, 2024, at the Biltmore in Downtown Los Angeles. Barbie led all films with eight wins. ^[31]

On July 3, 2024, the winners of the Astra Midseason Awards were revealed via the organization's social media channels. Dune: Part 2 won Best Picture and Best Director. Zendaya won Best Actress for her performance in Challengers and Glen Powell received Best Actor for his role in Hit Man. ^[32] The nominations for the 2024 Astra TV Awards were revealed on July 9, 2024. FX’s “The Bear” topped the field with 15 bids followed by Max’s “Hacks” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” with 13 apiece for the Astra TV Awards. ^[33] The ceremony will be held at the Avalon Hollywood on August 18, 2024.^[34]

On January 30, 2020, the Critics Choice Association reached out to its membership “on advice of legal counsel” after deeming it unacceptable for CCA members to also retain membership in another critics group, known as the Hollywood Critics Association. The letter continued by stating "The CCA will be protecting its rights in this matter. At this time you have the opportunity to choose to remain in the CCA. Simply confirm that you choose to do so and that you have resigned from HCA. And when it changes the offending name to something that reflects its laudable mission you can freely rejoin at that time, while remaining a CCA member in good standing."^[35]

On January 16, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the board of the Critics Choice Association (CCA) enacted a new policy that prohibited members of the HCA from maintaining their membership in the CCA. The CCA board explained in a message, “the reason CCA has taken this action is that we have evidence that a representative of the HCA has improperly suggested to at least one studio (and we suspect more) that it could influence Critics Choice Awards voting in a way that led that studio to reach out to CCA and request that action be taken to protect the integrity of our awards,” the message reads. “Of course, that HCA threat was empty, but CCA cannot ignore this.” As a result, if members wish to remain a part of the CCA, they had to inform them that they have "successfully resigned" from the HCA.^[36]

On January 18, 2024, the HCA issued a statement responding to Critics Choice Association's new policy: “The recent statement made by the Critics Choice Association (CCA) regarding the Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) is factually inaccurate. At no time have we tried to influence the awards votes of our members or make any suggestion to talent or studios that we would or could exercise such influence. During our awards outreach to studios, networks, and personal representatives, we presented an opportunity to have their talent attend and/or present at our ceremonies. During these conversations, we acknowledged that our awards ceremonies took place during a key voting period for various organizations and noted that several of our members belonged to several guilds and organizations; ones that we champion and support.”^[37][38]

On January 19, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported that on January 3, 2024, HCA founder, Scott Menzel, sent an email declaring: "It's important to note to ALL TALENT that the Critics Choice voting opens this weekend, and there are about 50 members who are part of both groups. He also highlighted other organizations saying "there are several other members who are in BAFTA, SAG and the Academy…" ^[39]

On January 30, 2024, Variety revealed that the HCA is suing the Critics Choice Association for defamation in response to the org’s recent call for members to resign from the HCA in order to stay members of the CCA.^[40] On the same day, The Wrap noted that "the lawsuit accuses CCA of trade libel and defamation, violation of the Cartwright Act (California’s antitrust law), intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and violation of California’s unfair competition law."^[41]

On May 29, 2024, My News LA reported that Judge Eric Harmon heard arguments May 8 on the association’s anti-SLAPP motion, then took the case under submission and issued a final ruling on Tuesday. “In conclusion, evidence properly adduced by plaintiffs shows not only that the parties were competitors, but also that (the association) made the statements at issue here to advance (its) business,” the judge wrote, adding that the association cannot use the commercial business-speech exemption of the anti-SLAPP law to thwart the HCA’s allegations.^[42]

On June 21, 2024, Variety announced that The Hollywood Creative Alliance has ended its defamation lawsuit against the Critics Choice Association, as both sides announced Friday that they had reached an “amicable agreement.” In a joint announcement between CCA CEO Joey Berlin and HCA CEO Scott Menzel, the two sides said that the Critics Choice Association will once again allow its members to also be a part of the Hollywood Creative Alliance. “An unfortunate misunderstanding has been straightened out, and we are happy to be moving forward in our journey to serve our members, audiences, and the entertainment community,” Berlin said. ^[43]

Each December, the association releases the nominations for the HCA Film Awards, which are held in January of the following year.^[6]

• 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

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.

The Hollywood Critics Association announced that they were launching the HCA TV Awards on March 24, 2021.^[44] The inaugural TV awards ceremony took place on August 22, 2021.^[45] The following is a list of the current and discontinued categories of the television awards as of 2023.^[46]

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.^[47] The following is a list of the current categories of the Creative Arts Film awards as of 2022.

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 ceremony date has yet to be announced due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. The following is a list of the current categories of the Creative Arts awards as of 2023.^[48]

• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

• 2023