Golden Globes praised for off-beat reputation

Thora Birch has praised the Golden Globes for giving awards to offbeat films.

She has been nominated as best actress in a musical or comedy for Ghost World.

The awards taking place are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

"The Hollywood Foreign Press, they're pretty cool. I always loved their off-beat choices of people nominated," said Birch.

Compared to the sober Oscars, the Golden Globes ceremony has a party atmosphere, where off-colour remarks and goofy acceptance speeches are encouraged.

But the awards are also seen as an important precursor to the Oscars.

A Beautiful Mind and Moulin Rouge lead the nominations for this year's Golden Globes with six apiece.