By Cineplex, which is Canada’s biggest movie chain is saying a big fat “no” to Amazon and Netflix films being shown at its Scotiabank Theater during The Toronto International Film Festival. It actually told festival organizers that Netflix and Amazon films it had planned to show for most industry events are barred from being shown.
According to a statement from Cineplex, it will only show films that “respect the traditional theatrical model.” Basically, if it’s not a film that you have to see in a regular movie theater but is only available via Amazon or Netflix it’s not welcome. Because of this change this year the film festival had to move the industry and press-only screenings to the Bell Lightbox.
Cineplex’s own spokesperson Sarah Van Lange made the following statement regarding this to The Hollywood Reporter :
There are hundreds of fantastic films screening as part of this year’s festival, and with all those options we asked that our screens feature titles from studios who understand and appreciate the importance of the theatrical release model. We have a strong and longstanding partnership with TIFF and are proud of our role in creating memorable theatrical experiences for festival goers, now and for years to come.
This is nothing new as many in the industry have criticized Amazon and Netflix films being included in the Academy Awards. Perhaps TIFF will host a separate event for those particular streaming service films one day, that doesn’t compete against other films headed to theaters.
Netflix, Amazon Movies Barred From Toronto International Film Fest’s Industry Screening Venue [The Hollywood Reporter]
