And the winner is ... oops, never mind

THE group that traditionally presents the first big awards of the Oscar season said Wednesday it had delayed announcing its winners after questions were raised about its voting process.

A spokesman for the National Board of Review downplayed the flap, explaining that voters had mistakenly been sent a memo that was mislabeled as an “eligibility list” and did not include all the 2005 films that qualified. One critic said it omitted directors of such acclaimed films as “Capote,” “Pride & Prejudice” and “Walk the Line.”

After complaints, the 150 members of the screening committee were asked to disregard that list and vote again. “We are sorry for the inadvertent omissions,” the NBR said in a statement.

“The ballots went back out [Wednesday],” said spokesman Gary Springer. “They are coming back in on Friday, and they are meeting over the weekend and we will announce on Monday.”

The delay lends new clout to the Los Angeles Film Critics’ Assn., which will be the first out of the gate this awards season with their picks for 2005 when they announce their choices on Saturday. At this time of the year, each group’s nominees and picks are closely scrutinized as possible indicators of contenders for the Academy Awards, which will be handed out in March.

The National Board of Review’s membership includes film professionals, educators, students and historians who view hundreds of films each year. But the New York-based organization has come under fire for what some say are murky selection practices and infighting.

Fox News columnist Roger Friedman recently criticized the group’s “idiotic awards”: “This Skull and Bones-type ... has at their discretion the chance to give out all kinds of prizes and gifts to those who’ve been nice to them during the year.”

Last month, former members sent a complaint letter to the New York State attorney general, saying the board of directors operated through secret meetings and bylaw manipulation. It also alleged a conflict of interest with a production company run by its president, Annie Schulhof. The NBR’s Springer dismissed the letter as a “family feud” and said that the attorney general had taken no action.

Last year the NBR chose “Finding Neverland” as best film, while Jamie Foxx and Annette Bening won awards for their roles in “Ray” and “Being Julia.” “Finding Neverland” and Bening later earned Oscar nods, and Foxx won the Academy Award.

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From Times staff and wire reports