Netflix withdraws from Cannes film festival over new rule change

The streaming giant won't be showing its work at the festival

Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes. Credit: Getty (Getty)

Netflix will not be bringing any of its films to Cannes this year following the implementation of a new rule.

The streaming service's chief content officer, Ted Sarandos told Variety that they aren't aligned with a "new rule that bans any films without theatrical distribution in France from playing in competition."

According to French law, films cannot be available on home platforms until 36 months after being shown in theatres.

While Netflix was told that they could show some of their films out of competition, Sarandos "says that doesn't make sense" for the company.

"We want our films to be on fair ground with every other filmmaker," Sarandos says. "There’s a risk in us going in this way and having our films and filmmakers treated disrespectfully at the festival."

He further added that the festival "set the tone," saying it wouldn't be a good idea for them to be there.

At the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, Netflix found success with two of its films: Noah Baumbach's The Meyerowitz Stories and Bong Joon-ho's Okja.

After these films were announced to be a part of the competition, French theatre owners spoke out against the inclusion of the movies to the artistic director of Cannes, Thierry Fremaux.

"We hope that they do change the rules," Sarandos said. "We hope that they modernize. But we will continue to support all films and all film-makers."

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Sarandos encouraged Cannes to "rejoin" the world of cinema.

The 2018 Cannes Film Festival lineup has yet to be announced, but Netflix's decision to opt out of the event would mean works by Alfonso Cuarón and Paul Greengrass would not be shown.