Netflix will still be able to compete at the Oscars next year

Steven Spielberg had previously led attempts to block Netflix from the Oscars.

Netflix won’t face any new rules that target the eligibility of its films at the Oscars, the Academy has confirmed.

The streaming giant’s chances of success during awards season had previously been threatened by critics who argued that the site represented a threat to the future of cinemas.

Steven Spielberg was among Netflix’s most prominent critics and claimed that its films should instead be awarded at the Emmys – which rewards successful television shows.

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But he was notably absent last night as the Academy’s board of governors decided to maintain rule two – which is responsible for determining eligibility at the Oscars.

The rule states that any film eligible for the 92nd Academy Awards requires nothing more than a one-week run at a theatre in Los Angeles – a requirement that the streaming giant has previously adhered to.

Academy president John Bailey said: “We support the theatrical experience as integral to the art of motion pictures, and this weighed heavily in our discussions.

“Our rules currently require theatrical exhibition, and also allow for a broad selection of films to be submitted for Oscars consideration.

“We plan to further study the profound changes occurring in our industry and continue discussions with our members about these issues.”

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The decision was made at a meeting of the Academy’s 54 person board of governors and came after Netflix’s ‘Roma’ scooped three prizes at the Oscars in February.

It could well have another awards hit on its hand next year in The Irishman – Martin Scorsese’s anticipated gangster film starring Robert DeNiro.

The meeting also saw the foreign language film category being renamed as international feature film.

 Larry Karaszewski and Diane Weyermann, the co-chairs of the International Feature Film Committee, said: “We have noted that the reference to ‘Foreign’ is outdated within the global filmmaking community.

“We believe that International Feature Film better represents this category, and promotes a positive and inclusive view of filmmaking, and the art of film as a universal experience.”

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