NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos says the streaming service is pulling its films from the Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes earlier banned from its prestigious Palme d’Or competition any films without theatrical distribution in France. That essentially rules out Netflix movies. In France, it’s a law that films can’t be released on home entertainment platforms until 36 months after their theatrical release.
Netflix films could still play out of competition at Cannes. But in an interview with Variety published Wednesday, Sarandos said he wants Netflix releases “to be on fair ground with every other filmmaker.” Sarandos said he doesn’t want Netflix filmmakers “treated disrespectfully” at Cannes.
Last year, two Netflix films premiered in competition at Cannes, prompting outrage from French theater owners and unions.
