Honour Stephen Spielberg for Jaws' 50th Anniversary

The Issue

 

 

 

As a massive fan of "Jaws," a film that shaped the cinematic experiences of children of the 1970s and countless generations since, I'm saddened to think that its visionary director, Stephen Spielberg, never received an award, let alone a nomination, for his groundbreaking work on this iconic movie. While "Jaws" received deserved accolades for music, editing, and sound mixing, Stephen Spielberg's directorial genius was noticeably overlooked. 

In 2025, we mark the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," a film that forever changed the landscape of the thriller genre, inspired filmmakers worldwide, and continues to captivate audiences with its suspenseful storytelling and pioneering special effects. It is tragic, and arguably a cinematic injustice, that the man who brought it to life was not recognised at the time of its creation.

Why shouldn't we correct this oversight? Why shouldn't the global film community acknowledge Stephen Spielberg's contribution to "Jaws" now, 50 years later, as one of the greatest movies of all time? Recognition of his artistic vision is long overdue and would serve as an invaluable nod to the creative forces that continue to influence modern cinema.

Our proposed action is clear: urge the film industry and prominent award bodies, such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to acknowledge Stephen Spielberg's invaluable contribution to "Jaws" by awarding him a special honour or nomination of his work and the impact he had on cinema’s history.

The return of this oversight would not only celebrate Stephen Spielberg’s legacy but also acknowledge the power of cinema in shaping culture and society. In doing so, we would not only rectify a past mistake, but further inspire future filmmakers to challenge norms and push creative boundaries.

Join me in rallying support to ensure that Stephen Spielberg receives the recognition that slipped past him five decades ago. With enough voices, we can initiate this change.

Please sign this petition today to stand for honouring true cinematic excellence.

7

The Issue

 

 

 

As a massive fan of "Jaws," a film that shaped the cinematic experiences of children of the 1970s and countless generations since, I'm saddened to think that its visionary director, Stephen Spielberg, never received an award, let alone a nomination, for his groundbreaking work on this iconic movie. While "Jaws" received deserved accolades for music, editing, and sound mixing, Stephen Spielberg's directorial genius was noticeably overlooked. 

In 2025, we mark the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," a film that forever changed the landscape of the thriller genre, inspired filmmakers worldwide, and continues to captivate audiences with its suspenseful storytelling and pioneering special effects. It is tragic, and arguably a cinematic injustice, that the man who brought it to life was not recognised at the time of its creation.

Why shouldn't we correct this oversight? Why shouldn't the global film community acknowledge Stephen Spielberg's contribution to "Jaws" now, 50 years later, as one of the greatest movies of all time? Recognition of his artistic vision is long overdue and would serve as an invaluable nod to the creative forces that continue to influence modern cinema.

Our proposed action is clear: urge the film industry and prominent award bodies, such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to acknowledge Stephen Spielberg's invaluable contribution to "Jaws" by awarding him a special honour or nomination of his work and the impact he had on cinema’s history.

The return of this oversight would not only celebrate Stephen Spielberg’s legacy but also acknowledge the power of cinema in shaping culture and society. In doing so, we would not only rectify a past mistake, but further inspire future filmmakers to challenge norms and push creative boundaries.

Join me in rallying support to ensure that Stephen Spielberg receives the recognition that slipped past him five decades ago. With enough voices, we can initiate this change.

Please sign this petition today to stand for honouring true cinematic excellence.

The Decision Makers

California Film Commission
California Film Commission
7080 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 900 Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone: 1-800-858-4749
Directors Guild of America Awards
Directors Guild of America Awards
DGA Web Support. (310) 289-2082 dgawebsupport@dga.org.
Golden Globes
Golden Globes
11355 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064 https://goldenglobes.com/

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on 12 July 2025