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The Oscar statue watches over the 91st Oscars Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills. Photo: AFP

The eye-ball catching moment of Hollywood’s annual celebration of the movie industry, the Academy Awards, was best actor winner Will Smith slapping host Chris Rock in the face for the comedian’s joke about his wife.

But the on-stage drama was a blip when it comes to what really matters where films and audiences are concerned.

This year marked a sea change from which there will be no return, streaming services having finally triumphed with CODA clinching the best picture prize for Apple TV+.

Will Smith hits presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday. Photo: AP
Will Smith hits presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday. Photo: AP

The win lays to rest arguments whether watching on a small screen with an app is cinema, ensuring the productions that have become familiar during the shutdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic gain in stature.

CODA, about the only hearing member of a deaf family, was the clearest statement yet that cinema success is not required to win Hollywood’s most coveted award. Although the film garnered acclaim at last year’s prestigious Sundance film festival, it earned just US$1.3 million at the box office.

Apple’s purchase of distribution rights gave it a far wider reach and it was soon on the right radars to win awards. On Oscars night, it beat out another contender from the streaming world, Netflix’s The Power of the Dog.

Netflix has been a trailblazer in transforming on-screen entertainment and lobbied hard to gain acceptance from Hollywood.

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