In an attempt to create a more balanced, diversified, representation of leadership the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has chosen three new governors to join the board.
Reginald Hudlin, former BET president and director of Boomerang, was appointed to the Director’s Branch of the board. Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Kung Fu Panda head of story and Kung Fu Panda 2 director, was added to the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch. And, finally, celebrated screenplay writer and Selena director, Gregory Nava was chosen as a representative for the Writers Branch. Six additional Academy members were also designated, including Gael García Bernal, Amy Vincent, Effie Brown, Marcus Hu, Vanessa Morrison, and Stephanie Allain.
Also, to create a more fair voting environment of the motion picture industry, the newest resolution, made by the Academy back in January, is going to be enforced more closely. This resolution is in reference to ensuring that the voters representing the Academy are individuals who are actually still active in the business. This new rule states that active voters can only be defined as those who have worked in the motion picture industry in the last 10 years, members who have won or been nominated for an Oscar, as well as those who have worked anytime during three 10-year periods whether consecutive or not.
Executive committees of the Academy will now meet every two years in order to review the membership and decide, if necessary, the reclassification of any members that are or are not in good standing to be active voters. An appeals process will also be set in place for any member who has lost their privilege to vote. With regards to these recent changes, president Boone Isaacs has said,”I’m proud of the steps we have taken to increase diversity…However, we know there is more to do as we move forward to make this a more inclusive organization.”
Only time will tell if these actions are the beginning of a new era in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences or just salve and a bandaid on a wound that has remained open for decades.
What do you think about the changes the Academy has made? Let us know in the comments.
