Academy Steps Up Diversity with Three New Governor Posts

As promised earlier this year, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has added three new members to their board of governors, all non-white, as well as six new members to existing board committees.

The three top picks, all chosen by Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and approved by the Board of Governors, are Reginald Hudlin (directors branch), Gregory Nava (writers branch) and Jennifer Yuh Nelson (short films and feature animation). Hudlin most recently co-produced this year’s Oscars. Each new member will serve a seven-year term that begins immediately.

“I’m proud of the steps we have taken to increase diversity,” said Boone Isaacs. “However, we know there is more to do as we move forward to make this a more inclusive organization.”

The six new members who will provide oversight to existing committees are:

• Actor Gael García Bernal joins the awards and events committee, chaired by first VP Jeffrey Kurland
• Cinematographer Amy Vincent joins the preservation and history committee, chaired by VP John Bailey
• Producer Effie Brown joins the museum committee, chaired by VP Kathleen Kennedy
• Executive Marcus Hu and animator Floyd Norman join the education and outreach committee, chaired by VP Bill Kroyer
• Executive Vanessa Morrison joins the finance committee, chaired by treasurer Jim Gianopulos
• Producer Stephanie Allain joins the membership and administration committee, chaired by secretary Phil Robinson

While these new members will not have governorships, they will be crucial in decisions of membership.

The Board also reaffirmed its January 21st resolution to make sure Academy voters are active in the motion picture industry. In the meeting, the Board decided that each branch executive committee will determine specific criteria for active voters based on the guidelines established in January.  Active voters are defined as:

• those who have worked in the motion picture industry in the last 10 years;
• those who have worked anytime during three 10-year periods whether consecutive or not;
• members who have won or been nominated for an Oscar^®.

The branch executive committees will meet every two years—starting this spring—to review their members and determine any potential reclassifications. The committees also will adopt an appeals process for members who may lose their voting privileges.