Recently it was reported that mega-director/producer Steven Spielberg was intending to make a proposal to the Academy Awards to disqualify Netflix original films from competing at the Oscars. The move arrived shortly after the 2019 Oscars, which saw Netflix's Roma take home three awards—out of a pack-leading 10 nominations—including recognition for fellow filmmaking icon Alfonso Cuarón's direction and cinematography.
This isn't the first time Spielberg has been critical of streaming-only movies, but this time he's provoked Netflix enough for them to respond to the reports of his intentions.
"We love cinema. Here are some things we also love," Netflix Film tweeted, listing:"Access for people who can't always afford, or live in towns without, theaters. Letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time. Giving filmmakers more ways to share art."
Netflix accurately concluded "these things are not mutually exclusive." While they didn't directly address Spielberg in the tweet, the timing makes their intentions with the statement clear.
A spokesperson for Amblin, Spielberg's production company, previously stated, "Steve feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation." Spielberg is expected to make his case at the next Academy Board of Governors meeting in April.
Spielberg notably gave an interview last year in which he was critical of Netflix and other streaming platforms submitting their original movies for Academy Award nominations. "Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie," he explained in an interview with ITV News. "I don’t believe that films that are given token qualifications, in a couple of theaters for less than a week, should qualify for the Academy Award nomination."
