As a result of elections held from June 5-9, there will be significant changes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors. During the July meeting of the 55-person board, more than one-fifth of the seats will be occupied by individuals who were not part of the board in June.
These changes are not a repudiation of the incumbents, as no incumbent who could have sought re-election opted not to, and no incumbent who sought re-election lost. Instead, the board imposed stricter term limits on itself in recent years, leading to the turnover.
For the 2023-24 term, the board will welcome 11 rookie governors, adding diversity to the composition. Wendy Aylsworth, David I. Dinerstein, Richard Gibbs, Jinko Gotoh, Kalina Ivanov, Simon Kilmurry, Hannah Minghella, Daniel Orlandi, Lou Diamond Phillips, Dana Stevens, and Mark P. Stoeckinger will join the board as rookie governors. Additionally, Ellen Kuras has returned to the board after a hiatus, representing the cinematographers branch.
Six incumbents who sought re-election have successfully won their races to continue serving on the board. Rob Bredow, Ava DuVernay, Linda Flowers, Lynette Howell Taylor, Stephen Rivkin, and Debra Zane will reunite with the 37 governors who were not up for election this cycle.
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The governors who were not up for election include industry professionals from various branches such as executives, producers, directors, writers, sound designers, and cinematographers. Some notable names among the returning governors are Pam Abdy, Bonnie Arnold, Lesley Barber, Dion Beebe, Susanne Bier, Jason Blum, Megan Colligan, Ruth E. Carter, Rodrigo García, Marlee Matlin, Jason Reitman, and Nancy Richardson.
Due to term limits, several governors will be departing the board. Kate Amend, Charles Bernstein, Jon Bloom, Teri Dorman, Whoopi Goldberg, Larry Karaszewski, Christina Kounelias, David Linde, Isis Mussenden, Wynn Thomas, and Mandy Walker will no longer serve on the board. Bernstein and Bloom, having reached the lifetime maximum of 12 total years served, are permanently termed off. The others, who have served two three-year terms, will be eligible to run again after a two-year hiatus for up to two additional three-year terms.
With the addition of new governors, the board of governors will be more diverse, with 53 percent women and 25 percent belonging to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. This change reflects the ongoing efforts of the Academy to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences plays a crucial role in shaping the film industry and celebrating excellence in filmmaking. The board of governors is responsible for overseeing the organization’s activities, including the selection of Oscar nominees and winners. The diverse composition of the board ensures that a wide range of perspectives and expertise is represented in decision-making processes.
Overall, the elections and changes to the board of governors demonstrate the Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and creating opportunities for new voices to be heard in the film industry. With a blend of experienced incumbents and fresh perspectives, the board is well-positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of filmmaking and continue honoring the best talents in the industry.
