Motion Picture Academy
Producer Janet Yang was re-elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization’s board of governors, the Academy announced on Thursday (Aug. 1).
Yang is beginning her third term as president and her sixth year as a governor-at-large, a position for which she was nominated by sitting Academy president David Rubin in 2019 and elected by the board of governors in 2022.
Yang is the fourth woman to serve as president of the Academy. Oscar-winning actress Bette Davis was the first in 1941, though she resigned after just two months in the post. Oscar-nominated screenwriter Fay Kanin served from 1979-83; Film marketing and PR executive Cheryl Boone Isaacs served from 2013-17.
A member of the Academy’s producers branch since 2002, Yang previously served on the board as vp and chair of the membership committee and, prior to that, the membership and governance committee.
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Yang’s film producing credits include South Central, The Joy Luck Club, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Zero Effect, Savior, The Weight of Water, High Crimes and the Oscar-nominated animated feature Over the Moon. She won a Primetime Emmy in 1995 for the HBO film Indictment: The McMartin Trial, which was voted outstanding made for television movie.
In other news, film composer Lesley Barber, one of three members of the board of governors representing the music branch, was elected to an officer position for the first time. She is a vp and chair of the membership committee.
Barber is best known for her score for Kenneth Lonergan’s Oscar-winning Manchester by the Sea. Her other credits include Late Night, Mansfield Park, Irreplaceable You, How to Change the World and You Can Count on Me.
Here is a list of the other four people who were elected to officer positions by the board:
DeVon Franklin, vp (chair, equity and inclusion committee)
Donna Gigliotti, vp/treasurer (chair, finance committee)
Lynette Howell Taylor, vp (chair, awards committee)
Howard A. Rodman, vp/secretary (chair, governance committee)
Franklin, Howell Taylor and Rodman were re-elected as officers. Gigliotti previously served as an officer.
“I am thrilled to have Janet return as Academy president for a third term to continue our great work of the past two years,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement. “I also am so pleased to welcome this year’s incredible slate of dedicated board officers.”
The 55-member board of governors includes three members who represent the music branch: Barber, Charles Fox (“I Got a Name,” “Ready to Take a Chance Again”) and Richard Gibbs (Say Anything, Dr. Dolittle).
Board members may serve up to two three-year terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), followed by a two-year hiatus, after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms for a lifetime maximum of 12 years. Officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive years in any one office.
For a complete listing of the Academy’s 2024-25 board of governors, click here.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday (July 10) announced the second year of the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative, a career development program for Black musicians interested in composing music for film. The program, launched in 2022, provides real-world experience, one-on-one mentorship and networking opportunities with an aim to foster broader representation in film music composition.
The program is named in memory of the late South African jazz musician, composer and producer Jonas Gwangwa. Gwangwa, who died in January 2021 at age 83, received a pair of Oscar nominations for best original score and best original song for his collaboration, with George Fenton, on Cry Freedom (1987).
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Program partners are Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC), Mercury Studios, Universal Music Publishing Group Classics and Screen, Decca Records and UMG’s Globe.
The program is open to U.K.-based and U.S.-based Black artists and composers with at least three years of work experience as a musician. Four participants, two in the U.K. and two in the U.S., will be selected through an application process. Participants will receive access to Academy members across various branches to gain an understanding of the filmmaking process; one-on-one mentorship with a member of the Academy’s Music Branch to learn about the practical aspects of composing for film; access to Academy events and screenings in London and Los Angeles; and introductions to leading practitioners from all areas of film music, among other mentorship programming.
Participants will be matched with a filmmaker who is in the process of making a short film and will be given the opportunity to compose music for the film. Each participant will receive a grant to help support their film composition projects.
“After an incredibly successful first year, the Academy is excited for the second year of Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative,” Kendra Carter, academy senior vice president, impact and global talent development, said in a statement. “Our goal for this program is to stimulate long-term career opportunities within the film industry for underrepresented musicians, and we thank our partners within Universal Music Group and our Academy members, whose passion, dedication and expertise enable this work.”
“The life and legacy of Jonas Gwangwa’s commitment as an artist-activist who used music as a tool for social change is undeniable and it’s an honor to celebrate him with this program,” said Menna Demessie, Ph.D., senior vice president, UMG and executive director, Task Force for Meaningful Change. “This initiative will continue to help create space for a more diverse cadre of film music composers and ultimately provide career opportunities that will advance the industry itself.”
Applications for the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative are currently open. For more information, visit the Academy’s website.
The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday (June 24) that CEO Bill Kramer will continue in his role through July 2028. Kramer’s contract, up for renewal in 2025, was approved one year early due to what the Academy calls “his exceptional leadership and significant contributions.” “Bill […]
The 55-member board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 2024-25 will consist of 53% women and 27% members of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. That’s the same percentage of women as were on the 2023-24 board and a represents a two-point gain, from 25%, for members of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. The Academy announced its new board on Monday (June 10). The governors will take office at the first scheduled board meeting of the new term.
Lesley Barber was re-elected to the board, representing the music branch. Barber is best known for her score for Kenneth Lonergan’s Oscar-winning Manchester by the Sea. Her other credits include Late Night, Mansfield Park, Irreplaceable You, How to Change the World and You Can Count on Me.
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Barber will join returning governors Charles Fox and Richard Gibbs in representing the music branch.
Fox has scored more than 100 films. He has received two Oscar nominations for best original song, won a Grammy for song of the year for co-writing “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and won two Primetime Emmys for his music for Love, American Style. Fox was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gibbs’ film and TV scores include Say Anything, Dr. Dolittle, The Simpsons, Queen of the Damned, 10 Things I Hate About You and Battlestar Galactica. He has served as musical director for Chaka Khan, Tracey Ullman and The Muppets, and produced Eisley and Korn.
Incumbent governors reelected to the board (and their branches), besides Barber, are Rita Wilson (actors), Kim Taylor-Coleman (casting directors), Paul Cameron (cinematographers), Eduardo Castro (costume designers), Jean Tsien (documentary), Pam Abdy (executives), Terilyn A. Shropshire (film editors), Laura C. Kim (marketing and public relations), Brooke Breton (visual effects) and Howard A. Rodman (writers).
Elected to the board for the first time are Patricia Cardoso (directors), Jennifer Fox (producers), K.K. Barrett (production design), Chris Tashima (short films) and Andy Nelson (sound).
Returning to the board after a hiatus is Lois Burwell (makeup artists and hairstylists).
Returning governors (besides Fox and Gibbs) are Wendy Aylsworth (production and technology), Dion Beebe (cinematographers), Howard Berger (makeup artists and hairstylists), Jason Blum (producers), Rob Bredow (visual effects), Ruth E. Carter (costume designers), Megan Colligan (marketing and public relations), Paul Debevec (visual effects), Peter Devlin (sound), David I. Dinerstein (marketing), Ava DuVernay (directors), Linda Flowers (makeup artists and hairstylists), DeVon Franklin (governor-at-large), Rodrigo García (governor-at-large), Donna Gigliotti (executives), Jinko Gotoh (short films & feature animation), Chris Hegedus (documentary), Richard Hicks (casting directors), Lynette Howell Taylor (producers), Kalina Ivanov (production design), Simon Kilmurry (documentary), Ellen Kuras (cinematographers), Marlee Matlin (actors), Hannah Minghella (executives), Daniel Orlandi (costume designers), Missy Parker (production design), Lou Diamond Phillips (actors), Jason Reitman (directors), Nancy Richardson (film editors), Stephen Rivkin (film editors), Eric Roth (writers), Dana Stevens (writers), Mark P. Stoeckinger (sound), Marlon West (short films & feature animation), Janet Yang (governor-at-large) and Debra Zane (casting directors).
The production and technology branch and animation branch did not hold elections this year.
The Academy has 19 branches, each represented by three governors, except for the recently established animation branch, which is represented by two governors; the recently established short films branch, which is represented by one governor; and the production and technology branch, which is represented by one governor. Governors, including the board-appointed governors-at-large, may serve up to two three-year terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), followed by a two-year hiatus, after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms for a lifetime maximum of 12 years.
Representing all branches of the Academy, the 55-person board of governors is responsible for the governance, corporate oversight and strategic direction of the Academy. Governors have a fiduciary responsibility to the Academy and preserve the institution’s financial health while ensuring fulfillment of the Academy’s mission.
The board approves annual goals and the annual budget presented by the CEO, and it approves policies concerning governance, membership and awards. Governors generally attend 7 to 10 board meetings annually and serve on a board committee. Governors also serve on their branch’s executive committee and are expected to attend Academy events throughout the year.
To see a list of current 2023-24 Academy governors, click here.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a series of executive promotions as part of an organization-wide effort to unite teams on Wednesday (May 29). “As the Academy evolves, we are bringing teams together to create a better sense of shared purpose across the organization,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement.
Amy Homma has been appointed director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. In her new role, Homma will lead the strategic creative vision of the Academy Museum. She succeeds film scholar and TCM host Jacqueline Stewart, who is returning to her faculty position at the University of Chicago. Homma will report to the museum’s board of trustees and Academy CEO Kramer.
Homma has been with the Academy Museum for five years and is currently the museum’s chief audience officer. She previously served as the Academy Museum’s vice president of education and public engagement.
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Jennifer Davidson has been promoted to the newly-created role of chief marketing and communications officer, effective June 1. In this expanded role, she will oversee marketing and audience development, communications, digital/social and creative brand strategy for all arms of the Academy, including the Academy Foundation, Academy Museum and the Oscars.
Davidson has served as chief communications officer since December 2021.
Jenny Galante has been promoted to the newly-created role of chief revenue officer, effective June 1. In this role, Galante will drive diversified and global revenue growth for all arms of the Academy, including the Academy Foundation and Academy Museum. She will continue to oversee strategic brand partnerships, including Oscars sponsors and advertisers, and lead efforts for Academy100, a $500 million global revenue diversification and outreach campaign the Academy publicly launched in early May.
Galante, who joined the Academy staff in 2013, most recently held the position of executive vice president, revenue and business development and served as senior vice president, business development.
Matt Severson, director of the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, has been promoted to the newly-created position of executive vice president, Academy collection and preservation, effective July 1. He will oversee all collections, archival, preservation, registration, conservation and cataloging work of the Margaret Herrick Library, Academy Film Archive and Academy Museum. This role centers, for the first time, all collections and preservation efforts for the entire 23 million-item Academy Collection.
Severson began his Academy career in 1997 in the Photograph Archive. He became head of the Photograph Archive in 2009 before becoming the head of the Margaret Herrick Library in 2018. He recently edited the Academy Museum exhibition catalog Agnés Varda: Director’s Inspiration, published by the Academy and DelMonico Books last year.
Previously, Severson reported to Randy Haberkamp, executive vice president, Library, Archive and SciTech, who will retire from the Academy on Aug. 2 after 23 years. Haberkamp will continue in a consultant role with the Academy until next spring.
Producer Janet Yang was re-elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization’s board of governors, the Academy announced on Tuesday (Aug. 1).
Yang is the fourth woman to serve as president of the Academy. Oscar-winning actress Bette Davis was the first in 1941, though she resigned after just two months in the post. Fay Kanin served from 1979-83; Cheryl Boone Isaacs reigned from 2013-17.
Yang is beginning her second term as president and her fifth year as a governor-at-large, a position for which she was nominated by sitting Academy president David Rubin in 2019 and elected by the board of governors in 2022.
Yang’s film producing credits include The Joy Luck Club, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Zero Effect, High Crimes, Dark Matter, Shanghai Calling and the Oscar-nominated animated feature Over the Moon. She won a Primetime Emmy in 1995 for the HBO film Indictment: The McMartin Trial, which was voted outstanding made for television movie. A member of the Academy’s producers branch since 2002, Yang previously served on the board as vp and chair of the membership committee and, prior to that, the membership and governance committee.
Also elected to officer positions by the board:
Bonnie Arnold, vice president (chair, membership committee)
Howard Berger, vice president (chair, museum committee)
Brooke Breton, vice president (chair, education and outreach committee)
Tom Duffield, vice president/treasurer (chair, finance committee)
DeVon Franklin, vice president (chair, equity and inclusion committee)
Lynette Howell Taylor, vice president (chair, awards committee)
Howard A. Rodman, vice president/secretary (chair, governance committee)
Kim Taylor-Coleman, vice president (chair, history and preservation committee)
Howell Taylor and Taylor-Coleman were re-elected as officers. It will be the first officer stint for Berger, Breton, Duffield and Rodman. Arnold previously served as an officer in 2019-20 and Franklin in 2021-22.
“I am thrilled to welcome this year’s board officers,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement. “Under Janet’s esteemed leadership, these dedicated governors will guide the Academy’s ongoing efforts to elevate the work of our global membership and film community, highlight our industry’s rich history, foster meaningful dialogue and continue to build equity and inclusion in every aspect of our organization.”
The board of governors sets the Academy’s strategic vision, preserves the organization’s financial health and assures the fulfillment of its mission.
Board members may serve up to two three-year terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), followed by a two-year hiatus, after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms for a lifetime maximum of 12 years. Officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive years in any one office.
Mahyar Abousaeedi – Turning Red, Incredibles 2
Tom Berkeley – An Irish Goodbye, Roy
Toni Bestard – Background, Foley Artist
Kimberley Browning – Certified, Waiting for Ronald
Alex Bulkley – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Hell and Back
Bruno Caetano – Ice Merchants, The Peculiar Crime of Oddball Mr. Jay
Dean Fleischer Camp – Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Catherine
Kenneth A. Carlson – Diner Formal, Dating Avi
Trent Correy – The Godfather of the Bride, Drop
Joel Bryan Crawford – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, The Croods: A New Age
Claire Dodgson – Minions: The Rise of Gru, Despicable Me 3
Fabian Driehorst – Night, The Chimney Swift
David DuLac – Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Happy Feet Two
Maureen Fan – Namoo, Crow: The Legend
Tiffany Frances – Dot, Hello from Taiwan
João Gonzalez – Ice Merchants, Nestor
Sara Gunnarsdóttir – My Year of Dicks, The Pirate of Love
Mark Gustafson – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Travis Hathaway – Incredibles 2, Brave
David Jesteadt – Inu-oh, Belle
Daniel Mark Jeup – Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2
Thomas Jordan – Lightyear, Up
Charlie Mackesy – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Ian Megibben – Lightyear, Soul
Cyrus Neshvad – The Red Suitcase, The Orchid
Jaime Ray Newman – Skin, Life, Unexpected.
Richard O’Connor – My Friend Nearly Killed Patti Smith, Marianne
Lachlan Pendragon – An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It, The Toll
Jesús Pimentel Melo – Miramelinda, Un Bel Morir
Emmanuel-Alain Raynal – Steakhouse, Easter Eggs
David Ryu – Luca, Coco
Nidia Santiago – Negative Space, Oh Willy…
Mónica Santos – Between the Shadows, Amélia & Duarte
Nelson Shin – Empress Chung, The Transformers: The Movie
Eirik Tveiten – Night Ride, Other Lives
Nathan Warner – Encanto, Zootopia
Ross White – An Irish Goodbye, Roy
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