Now that screeners are once again in the mail, the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. has decided it will hand out film awards this year after all. But the Chicago Film Critics Assn., the other critics group to cancel its awards in the wake of the ban, is not yet prepared to return to business as usual.

In the wake of the original ban, which the MPAA announced Sept. 30, the L.A. critics canceled their annual awards, saying, "The ban on screeners seriously inhibits our ability to work as professionals and compromises the integrity and fairness of the evaluative process" (HR 10/21).

But following U.S. District Judge Michael Mukasey's ruling Friday that overthrew the ban with a preliminary injunction, the critics group has polled its members and decided to go ahead with its awards -- though it has not yet decided when to hold a vote.

LAFCA is scheduled to meet Saturday. That was the date it was to have made its annual selections, which were to have been handed out at an awards dinner Jan. 26.

"A lot of members feel the important thing is that we support the films by recognizing the films this year (with awards)," LAFCA president Jean Oppenheimer said. Once it decides when it will vote on its awards, the group will then decide whether to hold an awards ceremony.

Meanwhile, according to CFCA president Dann Gire, the Chicago critics group is "holding fast" to its decision to suspend its awards until proof that the MPAA signatories are following the court's order is available.

"On Friday, when the federal judge wisely and surprisingly (lifted the ban), we were elated," said Gire, but he added that the CFCA will not gear up its awards until the group has "been given sufficient evidence that the embargo is gone and that this ruling does manifest itself." Gire said the CFCA is concerned that the MPAA companies could continue the ban through "under the table" tactics.

Gire speculated that the group would know next week whether screeners were being sent out and would then revisit its decision.

But even if the Chicago critics group decides to vote for awards, it may find it difficult to reschedule its ceremony at this late date. It may not hold a ceremony this year, Gire said, or it may hold its ceremony after the Academy Awards, which will take place Feb. 29.

"It's a mess," Gire said, also taking the opportunity to criticize his Los Angeles colleagues for canceling their protest too quickly. "When (the LAFCA) canceled their awards, that had resonance," he said. "Now that they've decided to (rescind their decision), I hope that doesn't weaken the perception of the conviction of the group, that they can flip-flop."

Gregg Kilday reported from Los Angeles; Ian Mohr reported from New York.