The Academy Awards Announce New Standards for Diversity and Inclusivity

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The worldwide support of the Black Lives Matter movement has rightfully forced organizations all across the globe to recognize their internalized prejudices and unacknowledged privilege. Light has been publicly shed on the embedded intolerance within countless brands and organizations over the past few weeks, and it seems that racist tendencies will no longer be able to hide in the shadows. Amidst this, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has publicly come forward and pledged to improve its lack of inclusivity. Next year’s Oscars will reflect new standards of representation and diversity through the implementation of an inclusivity initiative.

After the Academy’s two consecutive years of all-white award recipients in 2015 and 2016, there was a collective outcry for change. The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag spread across social media, and celebrities such as Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel Radcliffe, George Clooney, and countless more have spoken out against the lack of diversity in both the nominations and the awarding decisions at the show.

As for the 2021 Oscars, the Academy intends for the new initiative, dubbed Academy Aperture 2025, to reform the organization’s discriminatory history, pledging to “develop and implement new representation and inclusion standards of Oscars eligibility by July 31, 2020.” The phased initiative begins with the development of a new diversity-focused task force, as well as the adjustment of the Best Picture category’s 10 nominee limit. With the implementation of a new quarterly viewing process, the Academy will also be able to ensure that all voting members are equally exposed to the film nominations.

The next phases include enacting a maximum governor term limit of no longer than two three-year terms; establishing an Office of Representation, Inclusion, and Equity to oversee the Academy’s new practices and ensure accountability; and organizing a partnership with the Inclusion Advisory Committee of over 20 filmmakers and executives to develop programs, exhibitions, and collections that challenge racism and uplift a diverse range of artists.

The Academy also plans to host a series of panels called “Academy Dialogue: It Starts With Us.” The series, which will engage with the public on topics such as race, ethnicity, history, opportunity, and filmmaking, will feature a panel appearance from newly re-elected Board Governor Whoopi Goldberg.

Despite unconfirmed rumors of a possible postponing or even cancellation, the Oscars are still currently set for February 28th, 2021. As calls for societal reform continue, film fans around the globe are hoping to witness a significantly more inclusive show at the 93rd Academy Awards.

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