Netflix hits back at Steven Spielberg’s reported rule changes for Oscars eligibility

Netflix appears to have mounted a defense of its films following a report that famed director Steven Spielberg is aiming to foil Academy Awards eligibility for streaming services.

The Netflix Film account on Twitter outlined Sunday what the streaming service loves about cinema and what other people, presumably those who oppose Spielberg, love about such serviices. The latter includes “access for people who can’t always afford, or live in towns without, theaters,” “letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time” and “giving filmmakers more ways to share art.”

“These things are not mutually exclusive,” the company said in its tweet. Representatives for Netflix declined to comment further on Monday.

Spielberg, an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences governor representing the directors branch, reportedly is planning to propose rule changes that would prevent streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu from competing in the Academy Awards without their projects getting a full theatrical run first.

His proposal comes on the heels of complaints that Netflix flouted academy rules and still went on to win numerous Oscars last month for Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma,” which had a limited theatrical run, and the short-subject documentary “Period. End of Sentence.”

Sunday’s tweet from the streaming giant, which has upended the world of film distribution, follows IndieWire’s report that Spielberg will present his case at an upcoming board of governors meeting. It is unclear when the meeting is expected to take place.

Twitter: @NardineSaad