The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences — the body behind the Oscars — has a famously bad track record when it comes to recognizing female filmmakers: just one woman, Kathryn Bigelow, has ever taken home the Academy Award for Best Director. Recent years have seen the Academy taking steps towards progress, including building a more inclusive membership. Now the Academy has announced the launch of Action: The Academy Women’s Initiative, “comprised of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, the Academy Directory, and annual events, all designed to create opportunities for female filmmakers to connect, share their stories, and celebrate inclusion,” a press release details.

Slated to take place on October 15 in London and October 30 in LA, this year’s events will see the announcement of the first two recipients of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women. “Action is an extension of the Academy’s A2020 initiative, which seeks to support inclusion and increase representation within the Academy and the greater film community,” the release explains.

A one-year fellowship designed for emerging female filmmakers or execs, the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women combines financial support with mentorship and networking opportunities.

“The US recipient will be selected from the alumnae of one of the Academy Foundation’s key educational initiatives: Academy Gold Talent Development and Inclusion program, Student Academy Awards, and the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting,” according to the release. The fellowship in the UK “will be awarded to an emerging female talent working on either their first or second feature film or short film.”

The LA Women’s Lunch will unite female filmmakers and feature an onstage conversation with “Nanette” comedian Hannah Gadsby and “The Chi” creator Lena Waithe. In addition to launching the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, the event will also introduce the Academy Directory, described as “a tool for Academy members to identify and connect with each other and build a filmmaker community for guidance, support, and hiring opportunities.”

Set to feature a keynote by Academy Directors Branch Governor and “The Night Manager” director Susanne Bier, the Women of the Academy Lunch in London will see the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women awarded to a UK-based filmmaker.

“As we continue to advocate for inclusion, we are honored to bring Academy members and the filmmaking community together to support women in all stages of their careers, especially emerging Academy Gold filmmakers.” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.