On Friday 142 Hollywood directors sent a joint letter to Jack Valenti, head of the MPAA, asking that the ban be immediately repealed. Independent filmmakers feel that this ban will prove most harmful to them, because the viewing videos are sometimes the only opportunity some Academy members have to see their films. 

The letter reads in part: Many great films, and in particular films that take risks, rely on critical acclaim and, when the film is fortunate enough, Academy consideration to reach a broad audience.

The MPAA decision to ban screeners irreparably damages the chances of such films: films that already have a difficult enough time finding financing and distribution.  We condemn piracy, but are unconvinced that material links exist between screeners and the illegal industry of pirating our work - and the work of our colleagues. 

The letter was signed by 142 directors including Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack, Barry Levinson, Spike Jonze and Sofia Coppola. 

Valenti has reportedly said that he would consider an alternative to the ban.