Oscars Elect 2016-17 Board of Governors, Editors branch requires runoff
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the entity that produces the Oscars each year announced its newly elected 2016-17 Board of Governors today on Monday, July 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. A runoff election is required for the Film Editors Branch. The Board of Governors sets the Academy’s strategic vision, preserves the organization’s financial health, and assures the fulfillment of its mission. The Academy’s 17 branches are each represented by three governors, who may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.
“I’m honored and privileged to welcome the Academy’s new Board,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “I thank our members for actively participating and taking another step toward inclusion, one that will bring new ideas and perspectives as we continue to expand our global outreach while leading our community forward.”
Those elected to the Board for the first time are:
Laura Dern, Actors Branch Sharen K. Davis, Costume Designers Branch Steven Spielberg, Directors Branch Roger Ross Williams, Documentary Branch Laura Karpman, Music Branch Kevin Collier, Sound Branch
Incumbent governors reelected to the Board include
David Rubin, Casting Directors Branch
John Bailey, Cinematographers Branch
Jan Pascale, Designers Branch
Mark Johnson, Producers Branch
Nancy Utley, Public Relations Branch
Jon Bloom, Short Films and Feature Animation Branch
Robin Swicord, Writers Branch.
Returning to the Board after a hiatus are governors:
William M. Mechanic, Executives Branch
Leonard Engelman, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch
Craig Barron, Visual Effects Branch
A tie occurred between candidates Mark Goldblatt and Baryann Brandon for the Academy's Film Editors Branch. There will be a run-off election, with voting beginning on Monday, July 28.
The Board of Governors also includes the three governors-at-large appointed in January by Cheryl Boone Isaacs: Reginald Hudlin, Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Gregory Nava. These appointments came after the 2016 Oscars, as the Academy had received stern comments about its diversity.