Amazon, Netflix back at Sundance in search of more potential award winners

Park City, Utah

AFTER revolutionising television with bold, award-winning original content, streaming networks are on the cusp of their first potential Oscar wins, and are back at the Sundance film festival looking for more awards-worthy fare.

Amazon.com Inc raised eyebrows when it paid US$10 million for the North American distribution rights to Sundance drama Manchester by the Sea last year. But the film is now the frontrunner to win Casey Affleck an Oscar for best actor, which would be the first Academy Award for a streaming platform.

Netflix Inc had four documentaries in previous Oscar races, but has yet to win the coveted accolade. I…