Ava DuVernay has been elected to the Academy's Board of Governors
"Life is a funny, fascinating thing. You never know what’s around the corner."
It's safe to say Ava DuVernay is having a pretty good week.
After being honored on Wednesday with a Peabody Award for her critically acclaimed Netflix series "When They See Us," the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that DuVernay has been elected to its 2020-2021 Board of Governors.
"Thank you to the members of the Directors Branch of @TheAcademy," DuVernay tweeted, sharing a Hollywood Reporter write-up of the announcement. "Life is a funny, fascinating thing. You never know what’s around the corner."
DuVernay is one of six members voted in for their first term on the board. She joins the directors branch, while Lynette Howell Taylor joins the producers branch; Debra Zane, the casting directors; Stephen Rivkin, film editors; Linda Flowers, makeup and hairstylists; and Rob Bredow, visual effects.
AMPAS report that the number of women on the 54-person board has gone from 25 to 26, and people of color from 11 to 12.
The Academy also released the next phase of its equity and inclusion initiative, "Academy Aperture 2025," on Friday. The organization will push for more "equitable hiring practices" and "representation on and off screen" with several new measures.
In order to do so, the Academy is partnering with the Producers Guild of America to create a task force of industry leaders to create new representation and inclusion standards for Oscars eligibility by July 31, 2020.
Task force members will be appointed by David Rubin with Academy governor-at-large DeVon Franklin. These new guidelines will not be in place by the 93rd Academy Awards, in 2021.
"While the Academy has made strides, we know there is much more work to be done in order to ensure equitable opportunities across the board," Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement. "The need to address this issue is urgent. To that end, we will amend—and continue to examine—our rules and procedures to ensure that all voices are heard and celebrated."
Another big change in the new initiative will be enacted with the 94th Academy Awards: The best picture category will hold a set number of 10 nominees. Academy members will also have the opportunity to view films released year-round with the organization's streaming site through its newly implemented quarterly viewing process.
"By making it possible for members to view films released year-round, the Academy will broaden each film’s exposure, level the playing field, and ensure all eligible films can be seen by voting members," a statement from the Academy reads.
Unconscious bias training will also be mandatory for all Academy governors, branch executive committee members and Academy staff.
Read more about the Academy's equity and inclusion initiative here.
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