LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The Directors Guild of America ruled this week all Hollywood studios will be unable to offer its members film screeners to gain award consideration.

The Hollywood Reporter said Friday while studios have been requesting permission to send the 13,400 DGA members screeners, the film association placed a ban on the promotional goods earlier this week.

The move comes months after the organization told Hollywood studios it would seriously consider allowing the distribution of screeners prior to its 60th annual DGA Awards.

Following the guild's ruling this week, the group issued a statement detailing the motives behind its controversial decision.

"The DGA recognizes that this decision is different from what was stated last year," the guild said. "However, closer examination of the issue revealed concern among members that films sent out on DVD might have an unfair advantage over films that were not able to be sent out due to limited marketing budgets or other financial considerations."