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Cinema & Media Studies: Streaming from Penn Libraries

Streaming video on demand from Penn Libraries

kanopy Swank digital campus Academic video online Projectr EDU Docuseek

More services, links, and descriptions below 

About Streaming

Penn students, faculty, and staff can stream feature films, documentaries, oral histories, video interviews, and other niche content through the Penn Libraries. 


What can I stream?

If you know what you’re looking for, search the title in Franklin. Under Access, choose Online to see streaming films.  

To see all streaming videos in the Franklin catalog, under Access, choose Online, and under Format, choose Video

If you want to browse, start with a streaming platform listed below. They offer curated selections and a visual browsing experience. 


What kinds of films are available?

All types, all genres. Popular feature films, documentaries, short films, interviews, or historical video are available.


Why use the Franklin catalog, instead of just watching what’s available on the streaming services I already use

  • There are no rental fees to stream films through Franklin. There is no additional cost to you. 

  • You can find unique films. Library platforms have films not always available on streaming services. Some films are exclusive to certain platforms like Kanopy or Projectr

  • The films are available longer than a rental period - sometimes an entire year or longer.  

  • You can see the date that the film will leave its platform in Franklin, the Penn Libraries catalog. Films change less often than films leaving Netflix, Hulu, or HBO each month. 


Do I need to set up an account for every library streaming platform?

No. Just access each streaming platform with an active PennKey and password. Access is restricted to current Penn students, faculty, and staff. Affiliated employees with PennKey access to other Penn Libraries resources - from the University of Pennsylvania Health System (HUP, Pennsylvania, and Presbyterian Hospitals) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - are also eligible to create accounts. Alumni are not eligible to access streaming films due to licensing terms.


The film I want is not available to stream. Can I still get it through the Penn Libraries?

Maybe! The Van Pelt Video Collection also has DVDs to borrow. To browse in Franklin, choose At the Library and format Video for DVDs. Don't have a player? The Vitale Digital Media Lab lends portable all-region players and external DVD drives (link: Equipment Lending).

If the Penn Libraries does not own the DVD that you want, you can Request Media through Interlibrary Loan using this form. We will try to find a library to supply it. Note: This may take 5-10 business days.

Questions? If you find an error or broken link, please report it through Franklin, or Ask Us.

Streaming Collections

Where can I stream it now?

Useful apps for Cinema & Media Studies

   
IMDbLetterboxd
   
ReelgoodJustWatch
  • IMDb, the Internet Movie Database, for filmographies, casts, credits, showtimes, reviews, and watchlists for film and TV.
  • Letterboxd, a social network for film people with watchlists and reviews.
  • JustWatch or ReelGood, streaming search and watchlists.

Not available to stream? It happens.
Search for the DVD in Van Pelt 

Search Franklin for films and TV, streaming or as a DVD. Sometimes, even with access to many streaming platforms, for rights reasons, a DVD may be your only option.

Don't forget, DVDs can offer bonus essays, booklets, interviews, and extra content.

Set up Kanopy's app

Kanopy app icon

Get the Kanopy app on mobile or TV 

The Kanopy app is available on iOS devices, Android phones and tablets, and most smart TVs.  

Please note that Kanopy access is restricted to current Penn students, faculty, and staff. Affiliated employees with PennKey access to other Penn Libraries electronic resources - from the University of Pennsylvania Health System (HUP, Pennsylvania, and Presbyterian Hospitals) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - are also eligible to create accounts. Alumni are not eligible to access this resource due to licensing terms. For more information, visit the Penn Libraries’ guide to accessing electronic resources