“Selma” director Ava DuVernay (47) is among the new members who have been elected to the board of the Oscar Academy. The film association announced this today in Beverly Hills. The organization, which has over 9,000 members, is divided into 17 divisions, including actresses and filmmakers.
Each area is represented by three “governors” who are elected every three years. Among others, the actress Whoopi Goldberg and the camera woman Mandy Walker were re-elected. The Academy noted in its announcement that the recent election has increased the proportion of women and board members of non-white skin on the panel.
The Academy members determine the Oscar winners each year. The association traditionally consisted of predominantly male members of white skin. The lack of diversity had led to fierce criticism of the association in recent years, especially when African Americans were largely overlooked in the Oscar nominations. The academy then announced that it would seek diversity within its own ranks.
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