Current President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has been re-elected for a fourth term in office. Boone Isaacs became the first woman of color to serve as Academy President back in 2013, meaning this will be her fourth and final term (AMPAS officers being allowed to serve a maximum of four consecutive years in any one position).
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy was also re-elected as an Academy Vice-President, and Co-President of Fox Searchlight Nancy Utley joins her, beginning her first term in an AMPAS officer position.
Boone Isaacs — who also heads her film marketing company, CBI Enterprises, Inc. — has already more than proved herself a steady hand when it comes to steering the Academy ship. More than that, she has set a new course toward decisive change for the 89 year-old institution, pushing for restrictions on member numbers to be relaxed, and spearheading a drive for greater inclusivity from her earliest years in office.
The Oscars overseer has faced many challenges during her Presidency so far — not least in the shape of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, and continued criticisms of the Academy’s poor record when it comes to diversity. It is Boone Isaacs, however, along with CEO Dawn Hudson, who has probably been most influential in calling for real change within the Academy, which would actively increase the diversity of its membership.
It recently became clear that she had made another vital step toward achieving that goal, when it was announced that the Academy class of 2016 was the most diverse yet: 46 percent of those invited to join this year were women, and 41 percent people of color. Although there’s still a long way to go — the total membership comprises only 27 percent women, and 11 percent people of color — Boone Isaacs’ re-election will surely come as welcome news to many. Here’s hoping that it heralds another year of real change-making, and that Boone Isaacs’ dedication to the role will continue to shape the culture of the Academy long after she steps down as President.
