It Looks Like the Venice Film Festival Will Also Ban Netflix Movies in Their 2019 Lineup

Eric Kohn has an interesting report in IndieWire about the Netflix-Cannes issue. However, before we get into that topic, he lays out the cards for us, in terms of this year’s upcoming festival, and, as mentioned of WoR, not only is Scorsese’s “The Irishman” a potential competition title, but there’s also a new untitled Noah Baumbach starring Adam Driver and Scarlet Johansson, Steven Soderbergh’s “The Laundromat,” and Joshua and Benny Safdies’ A24-produced “Uncut Gems,”

Apparently, the Safdies won't be ready in any case, as Kohn admits that “it is unlikely to make the submission deadline.”

Now, onto the Netflix-Cannes affair. Despite being far apart in negotiations, it looks like Venice might not allow Netflix films to compete either, which could be a major game-changer for film festival culture:

“Netflix doesn’t necessarily need a bump from the festival for its most anticipated films. “Roma” found plenty of acclaim at Venice, Telluride, and Toronto. The Lido may be off-limits to Netflix in the coming year, as Italy’s Minister of Culture Albert Bonisoli signed a law in November requiring theatrical windows in the country similar to the rule in France. But Telluride and Toronto, both of which declined comment for this story, continue to maintain close relationships with Netflix and remain tangible fall launchpads for awards-season hopefuls.”

This could, indeed, be very good for Toronto and Telluride. TIFF already broke Telluride’s Oscar Best Picture winner streak this year, Telluride had premiered every Best Picture winner since 2010, with their world premiere of “Green Book.”

I can see a major buzz-shift happening towards TIFF’s favor. The Cannes/Venice Netflix ban would pave the way for an incredible array of premieres coming down north of the border. This past year's edition alone was a game-changer; World premiering at Toronto were Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book,.” Steve McQueen’s “Widows,” George Tillman Jr’s “The Hate U Give,” Sebastien Lelio’s “Gloria Bell,” and Claire Denis’ “High Life,”