AMERICAN Film Institute announcing awards show to occur before Golden Globes, Oscars

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The American Film Institute, best known for naming the 100 greatest movies of all time, is reportedly joining the growing cast of television awards shows. <br><br>The nonprofit organization

Tuesday, September 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The American Film Institute, best known for naming the 100 greatest movies of all time, is reportedly joining the growing cast of television awards shows.

The nonprofit organization planned to announce Tuesday that it will hold its awards program Jan. 5 on CBS, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The show will occur two weeks before the Golden Globes on NBC and less than two months before the Academy Awards on ABC.

The executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences wonders if now having two shows before the Oscars will have a negative effect.

``It would be nice to think of ourselves as the climax to a series of playoffs,'' Bruce Davis said. ``But the fact is that these awards tend to involve the same films, the same people presenting them, the same people receiving them ...''

AFI officials defended their decision, saying the event isn't meant to infringe on others.

``From the AFI's point of view, what we are trying to do is identify what has occurred over the past year and put it into a historic context to understand what it means for the future ...'' said AFI Director Jean Picker Firstenberg.

Besides giving awards to film's top actors and directors, AFI will honor TV's best, including best drama and best comedy series. The organization also will name the year's top 10 movies.

A host has yet to be named for the AFI event.