Steven Spielberg vs Netflix debate attracts heated comments online

Reports that filmmaker Steven Spielberg will be proposing a rule change at the next Academy meeting that will make it more difficult for Netflix (and other streaming) films to compete at the Oscars, has sparked an online debate among the film community.

As reported by indiewire.com, Spielberg is likely to take his criticism of Netflix films at the Oscars to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Spielberg's effort is devoted to ensuring that the race never sees another Roma, a Netflix film backed by massive sums, that didn't play by the same rules as its analogue studio competitors. Spielberg is looking for a fixed theatrical release window for films, which will qualify them for the Oscars. Roma played in just 100 theatres before being released online.

Indian actor Kabir Bedi tweeted in reaction to the news: "DINOSAUROUS! Never imagined Steven Spielberg so retrograde as to want different rules for films made by streaming services and those produced by all others. A film is a film is a film. No matter who produces it. And: Rule changes he wants would disqualify most regular producers."