Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should movies produced for streaming platforms be eligible for awards?
Position1 of 2›

Yes, a movie is a movie they should all be eligible for awards

This position holds that streaming movies should be eligible for awards—a movie is a movie. It argues streaming widens access for new filmmakers and is now the norm, that restricting eligible formats limits diversity, and that COVID-19 made streaming essential to the industry.

Supporting arguments · 5

  1. The backlash against on-demand services is generational
    Film purists romanticizing a bygone era are the main obstacle to streaming platforms being accepted as a bonafide artistic medium. If awards cannot recognize the relevance of new media forms, they will become a relic themselves.
  2. Streaming platforms should be eligible for awards because they are the norm
    Cinema awards should adapt to dominating market trends in film distribution, not vice versa. It may be in the interest of major film studios to obstruct streaming platforms from serious artistic commendation since their revenue is dependant on the box office, but ignoring them is impossible.
  3. New filmmakers benefit from the accessibility of streaming platforms
    Those trying to break into the film industry have been forced to compete against their cohorts at Cannes and Sundance for recognition and wide distribution. Streaming services have allowed for a fairer approach. In the interest of supporting rising talents, awards should acknowledge these platforms.
  4. Covid-19 has rendered streaming platforms essential to keep the film industry afloat
    Recent years have seen cinema and streaming services coexist, but 2020 understandably saw the former dwarfed by its more accessible counterpart. The Oscars are already considering changes to their requirements as a result, and other awards should follow suit, reflecting our current situation.
  5. Exclusivity of eligible formats restricts diversity
    New styles, genres, and formats have historically been snubbed at award ceremonies, despite expanding the definition of cinema and pushing the envelope- whether it’s animation, indie, or foreign-language films. Equally, we should embrace, not reject, the variation of streaming service offerings.