Netflix may have been recognized by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts, but not all those in the industry are in
The streaming service’s film Roma blazed across the recent awards season, scooping up several accolades, including Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Director at the 2019 Academy Awards.
Despite the quality of the streamer’s fare or its achievements, veteran director Steven Spielberg has continuously voiced his disapproval of Netflix’s films being included in film awards ceremonies as the pictures do not show in theatres, believing instead that they should be nominated for Emmys and not Oscars.
The Schindler’s List director will now head to the Academy Board of Governors next month to again address the situation.
“Steven feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation,” said a spokesperson for Spielberg’s production company Amblin. “He’ll be happy if the others will join [his campaign] when that comes up [at the Academy Board of Governors meeting]. He will see what happens.”
The Academy has subsequently released a statement saying that the Board will likely consider the topic at the April meeting.
In response to the situation, Netflix released a statement via Twitter, defending its films and its access for people who cannot afford to watch in cinemas:
Is it just us or does this feel like the 2019 version of talkies versus silent films?
