The streaming giant Netflix has landed with 35 Oscar nominations during this coveted era of great importance for streaming video platforms. The films were released via Netflix during the lockdown period, when all the theatres were closed worldwide. Amazon Studios also made 12 nominations, and this is the first time Amazon Studios has received so many Oscar nominations. Moreover, Apple Inc.’s Apple TV has also received a nomination for the first time.
“For the last few years, we’ve made sure we’re putting our focus on opening the doors to diverse talent and emerging voices,” said Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke. “To see this diverse group of films be honoured in this way is gratifying.”
Netflix’s 16 films received Oscar nominations, including “Mank” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7”. Monk received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress. “We learned a lot of hard lessons last year, but a nice one was that people will find a way to go to the movies, even if they can only go as far as their living rooms,” said Aaron Sorkin, director of historical drama “Trial of the Chicago 7.” The best films were released on the streaming platforms due to the closure of theatres. There has already been strong opposition to the representation of streaming media at film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival and international awards, including the Oscars. In this case, too, the gains for the Netflix and Amazon platforms are significant. Last year, Netflix made 24 nominations for films including “The Irishman,” “Marriage Story”, and “The Two Popes.” But the company won only two statuettes: supporting actress for Laura Dern in “Marriage Story” and documentary feature for “American Factory.” Netflix received its first Oscar nomination in 2014. The competition of the Netflix movies is with the recession drama “Nomadland”, which is currently in theatres and Walt Disney Co’sHulu. Disney has also scored 15 nominations overall, and three of them are for the animated Pixar movie “Soul”. “Sound of Metal”, which tells the story of a deaf drummer who reached the audience through Amazon Prime, has received a nomination for Best Picture. Amazon’s other movie “One Night in Miami” has also made three nominations. Apple TV received its first nomination for its animated film “WolfWalkers”.
