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Streaming giant Netflix responds to the possible ineligibility of its movies for nomination at the Oscars.
This response is due to the remarks of highly-acclaimed director Steven Spielberg that movies streamed on Netflix should not win an Oscar, the highest award in the film industry. Instead, Netflix movies should only be eligible for TV awards. Spielberg claims that the “theater experience,” which Netflix movies do not provide, is important for winning the Oscars.
Though Netflix did not directly respond to Spielberg, the streaming company said that it supports filmmakers and that it wants to help people without access to theaters or those who cannot afford a “theater experience.”
Reportedly, Spielberg might use his influence as a member of the Oscars’ board of governors to create rules against Netflix movies getting a nomination. One rule was that films have to have at least a month of exclusive theater runs before they can be eligible for an Oscar. Roma, an Oscar-nominated Netflix film, is the subject of this recent controversy since the film premiered on Netflix after only a three-week theater run.
Unfortunately for Spielberg, some fellow board members do not support his ideas. According to them, Hollywood often focuses on popular movies and sequels, while ignoring other film genres. The board members said that without streaming platforms like Netflix, unconventional films would never be produced and recognized by influential institutions.
Spielberg strongly believes that streaming services would soon make cinema obsolete. Although many board members share this view, they emphasized that the board should also consider the new ways people access entertainment.