LOS ANGELES – The Directors Guild of America today announced that it will allow studios and distributors to send “for your consideration” screeners to DGA members beginning this awards season.

“There’s nothing better than watching a movie on the big screen, exactly as the director intended,” said DGA President Taylor Hackford. “But it’s not always possible for our members to get to the theater to see every film in awards contention. For that reason, the National Board has decided to allow members to receive ‘for your consideration’ screeners.”

The DGA had a longstanding policy of not allowing awards season screeners. The Guild believed that films sent out on DVD could have an advantage over films that are not able to be sent out due to limited marketing budgets or other financial constraints of studios and distributors. Additionally, most DGA members have numerous opportunities to see films in awards contention in other ways.

However, in the annual review of all policies and procedures related to Awards after the conclusion of each awards season, it became clear that the industry standard has changed and the majority of guilds and other entertainment community bodies allow “for your consideration” DVDs. Many DGA members have now expressed an interest in having the option of viewing films on DVD if they are unable to attend theatrical screenings. Additionally, some DGA members live outside of major metropolitan areas, making it difficult for them to access DGA and other free screenings.

The decision was made by the National Board at its regularly-scheduled meeting on Saturday.

The Guild will continue to operate its extensive theatrical screening program at its state-of-the-art theaters in Los Angeles and New York and additional screenings in Chicago, San Francisco, London and Washington, DC, and members can continue to use their DGA Membership cards for free admission to certain public screenings in commercial theaters for the studios that allow them to do so.