There seems to be endless options these days when it comes to choosing a streaming service. The only downside is that there is always a monthly fee attached. Luckily for the working student, there is an ideal platform that is free but with exceptional content.
Kanopy is an on-demand streaming service for public and university libraries that offers a large selection of award-winning films and documentaries. Their selection ranges from classic silent films to current award season favorites. It also has a great catalog of educational titles just for children.
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“Over 30,000 films entirely for free with a library card from participating libraries,” states the pitch on their website.
All you need to sign up for Kanopy is a library card and you are given an allowance of five to six films a month, free of charge and commercial free. You can customize your viewing experience by creating playlists by any category you wish.
You can stream Kanopy from your television, computer, tablet or phone. Email spam is minor, sending reminders of your view credits to use before the month is up and quick surveys to help make your experience better as a user.
The only inconvenience is that your unused view credits don’t carry over into the following month, but instead reset. This minor critique doesn’t overshadow this amazing media resource.
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Kanopy is a platform ideal for film students or film fans that have been searching for that hidden gem you can’t find on other streaming services. Keep in mind, you won’t find big mainstream blockbusters on Kanopy. Netflix, among others, already have them.
Their mission states that “everyone from film scholars to casual viewers will discover remarkable and enriching films on Kanopy.”
At just the cost of a library card number, students can enjoy free movies anywhere at any time.
Kanopy is currently available through the Apple Store, Google Play, Roku and Amazon Appstore.
