Streaming giant Netflix has responded to increasing criticism from the film industry with a defiant statement on social media saying: “We love cinema.”

Multi-Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg became the latest high-profile figure to criticise Netflix, saying its reluctance to release films in cinemas was harming the “motion picture theatrical experience”. Without naming Spielberg, Netflix released a short statement which read: “We love cinema. Here are some things we also love: Access for people who can’t always afford, or live in towns without, theaters; Letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time; Giving filmmakers more ways to share art. These things are not mutually exclusive.”

Spielberg’s comments originated in an acceptance speech at the Cinema Audio Society’s awards ceremony, where he received the film-maker award. In his speech he said: “I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contributions we can make as film-makers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience. I’m a firm believer that movie theatres need to be around for ever … There’s nothing like going to a big, dark theatre with people you’ve never met before and having the experience wash over you. That’s something we all truly believe in.”

In his role as a governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas), Spielberg is also reported to be backing a proposal that Oscar eligibility rules for films distributed by streaming services should change. Indiewire quoted a representative of his production company Amblin as saying: “Steven feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation … He’ll be happy if the others will join [his campaign] when that comes up [at the next Academy board of governors meeting]. He will see what happens.”

Spielberg’s intervention is part of mounting concern in the industry at the ubiquitous presence of the Alfonso Cuarón-directed Roma in the major awards ceremonies in 2019. Roma won four Baftas (including best film), four Critics’ Choice movie awards, and three Oscars (though missing out on best film). Despite universal critical acclaim for the film (including being voted best film of 2018 by the Guardian’s critics), Netflix’s expensive marketing campaign caused considerable disquiet, as well as its customary practice of ignoring the traditional 90-day exclusive “theatrical window” before releasing films on to home entertainment platforms. In the UK, cinema chains Vue and Cineworld have objected to Roma’s inclusion in the Bafta awards, with Cineworld withdrawing its support entirely.

However, dissenting voices include Spielberg’s fellow director Paul Schrader, who was nominated for best original screenplay Oscar for First Reformed. In a lengthy social media post, Schrader said that “distribution models evolve” and that “Netflix allows many financially marginal films to have a platform and that’s a good thing”. But he also noted “the vast sea of Netflix product” that militates against “austere” films such as First Reformed, and that, even if the streaming service had picked it up, it would have been “relegated to film esoterica”. Schrader also suggested that independent cinemas join with streaming services to offer new distribution models.