The Indian Express Group has announced a major reimagining of the Screen Awards 2025, taking the iconic celebration of Indian cinema and storytelling to a global audience through a digital-first partnership with YouTube.
The awards, which have been a hallmark of credibility and cultural legacy since their inception, will now be streamed exclusively on YouTube, offering open access to fans worldwide. For the first time, Bollywood’s biggest stars will share the stage with YouTube creators, blending red carpet moments, behind-the-scenes footage, creator-led narratives, and interactive fan engagement over a three-month-long festival.
Anant Goenka, Executive Director of the Indian Express Group, said:
“Indian cinema deserves a stage that celebrates creativity beyond collections. Our storytellers carry 1.4 billion dreams — rooted in tradition and racing toward an exciting future. This award will honour that spirit and spotlight India’s boldest, most original voices. We’re thrilled YouTube shares our enthusiasm for this endeavour.”
The winners of the awards will continue to be chosen by the Screen Academy — an independent, not-for-profit body of filmmakers, artists, and cultural voices — ensuring that recognition is based on integrity and merit.
Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Gunjan Soni, Managing Director – India, YouTube, said:
“We are thrilled to be the digital home for the Screen Awards, bringing a cultural icon to its next chapter. YouTube is where billions of fans connect with the entertainment they love, and we’re excited for them to experience one of cinema’s biggest nights in an immersive way. By bridging Bollywood’s biggest stars with YouTube’s most influential creators, we’re building an engaged community for an iconic event and unlocking the power of fandoms.”
The move reflects India’s changing entertainment landscape, shaped by rising internet penetration, the rapid growth of Connected TVs, and the increasing dominance of mobile viewing. YouTube’s strong presence in India further strengthens this digital-first strategy — the platform reaches four out of five Indian internet users aged 18 and above, while globally, entertainment content generated more than 7.5 billion daily views in 2024.
Curator of the Screen Awards, Priyanka Sinha Jha, noted the event’s historic milestones, saying:
“Established in 1995, Screen Awards has a legacy of firsts: the first jury-based film award in India, the first award show the Oscars management attended and vouched for, and the first accolade earned by several of today’s superstars. With the inception of The Screen Academy and our partnership with YouTube, we mark another first for India — building on our reputation for presenting the nation’s most credible and coveted awards, delivered with path-breaking entertainment.”
With its digital-first reinvention, Screen Awards 2025 aims to create unmatched visibility, cultural relevance, and brand opportunities, while uniting cinema and digital storytelling on one stage.
