This is the first time that films that are only available online and not in theatres can stand the chance of winning an Oscar.

The Academy Awards recently amended their rules to allow films that have only been released on streaming platforms to be eligible for an Oscar. The Academy has never before allowed entries of films that were not released in theatres for the sought after Best Picture Oscar. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, theatres have been closed and people are discouraged from going to them, even in countries where lockdowns have been relaxed significantly. In order to keep things fair and dynamic, the Academy made this exception for this year only, giving producers the chance to still release their films, albeit only online while people stay home.