Via Variety.com:

In an unusual, although not unprecedented move, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has received an 11th-hour Critics’ Choice Award nomination for best picture more than a week after contenders were initially announced.

The sci-fi epic, which hit theaters on Friday, has been added as the 11th best picture nominee, the Broadcast Film Critics Association announced on Tuesday. The film was not screened in time for nominations balloting so the board of directors decided to hold a special vote on Monday to determine if it would have been nominated had members been able to consider it. J.J. Abrams’ pic was thereby able to thwart the rules.

In 2000, “Cast Away” also screened too late for normal consideration and the BFCA included it among 11 best picture nominees.

The 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards nominations were revealed on Dec. 14, with “Mad Max: Fury Road” dominating the film race with 13 nods and FX’s “Fargo” leading TV series noms with eight.

The 21st annual Critics’ Choice Awards, hosted by T.J. Miller, will be held on Jan. 17 and air live at 5 p.m. PT on A&E, Lifetime and LMN.

The Broadcast Film Critics Association is returning to the Critics’ Choice name after splitting the awards into two ceremonies in 2010.