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The many unregulated online video-on-demand services available in Canada, of which Netflix is the largest and most prominent, afford Canadian audiences access to an enormous quantity of Canadian films and television series. Indeed, the Internet has made it possible for content creators in this country to reach people in a way that would never have been possible with traditional media. If the CRTC is interested in the availability of Canadian content to Canadians, VOD services like Netflix are a step ahead of them — and all without forcing them to adhere to regulations.

Getting the film on Netflix has definitely helped us get taken more seriously

The benefits of video-on-demand are of particular value to the Canadians who need the help most — independent filmmakers who can’t afford large-scale home video releases or nationwide theatrical distribution. Pavan Moondi, a writer and director based in Toronto, believes streaming services like Netflix are great for Canadian filmmakers. His latest feature, a comedy called Everyday is Like Sunday, was made available to stream on Netflix in Canada this summer.

“Getting the film on Netflix has definitely helped us get taken more seriously,” he reflects. “It’s an immediate stamp of validation for the film.” It’s also an easy way for a small movie to find its audience. “If you’re a filmmaker who is completely unknown,” Mr. Moondi says, “Netflix is great, because it gets your film seen by people who wouldn’t see it otherwise.” As audiences for traditional broadcast television continue to decline, finding a home on VOD will become increasingly significant to the success of a film. “On-demand services like Netflix are the wave of the future,” Mr. Moondi says. “Looking at where things are headed over the next five or six years, filmmakers are going to want to get their films on VOD.”