The AFI hopes their choices will help focus attention on what was noteworthy about a particular film, because it will honour the entire creative team of a movie and not just its star. One of the main reasons why award events have proliferated in recent years is because of the publicity opportunities they offer. Los Angeles film critics may have helped Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Oscar chances With some shows, like the Blockbuster and Moviefone awards, the benefits accrue to the sponsors as much as they do to the stars. Even with the less commercial various guild events such as the Screen Actors' Guild awards, a high-profile ceremony does a lot to promote the organisation. Another driving force leading to the spread of awards shows is the multiplicity of media outlets, which has created a gigantic hunger for celebrity saturated programming.
Awards ceremonies are ideal fodder that can often bring in big audiences.
Most film industry professionals break through the clutter of awards shows just concentrating on a few key pre-Oscar events which are thought of as useful guides as to how Academy members might cast their votes. There is no doubt that the various film critics groups can at the very least bring certain films to the attention of Academy members. The same applies to the Los Angeles Film Critics, who picked Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as their best film, perhaps persuading Oscar voters to consider a film they might have overlooked. The Golden Globes ceremony on 21 January is generally regarded as one of the more significant Oscars bellwethers. Statistically, the Globes' choice of best picture has coincided with the Oscar winner 41 times in the last 57 years.