Oscars head re-elected after diversity uproar

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who is African American, has been re-elected for a fourth term as the organization pushes for more diversity.
The vote Wednesday follows a tumultuous several months for the body that bestows the Oscars, with the all-white slate of acting nominees at the 2016 ceremony sparking outrage.
Since February’s awards, Boone Isaacs has led the move for a more inclusive Academy. Almost half the 683 people invited to join this year have been women and nearly as many have been people of color.
Among the record number of invitees are rising young stars John Boyega of “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson, Swedish Oscar winner Alicia Vikander and musician Mary J. Blige.
Of the class of 2016 — which also includes Indian-Canadian director Deepa Mehta, Belgian-Kurdish filmmaker Sahim Omar Kalifa and French director Catherine Breillat — 283 are identified as international members representing 59 countries. The announcement of new members followed excoriating criticism about a lack of diversity in the Academy’s ranks and among Oscar winners.
Boone Isaacs, the first African American president of the Academy, heads management consultancy CBI Enterprises, where she advises on film marketing.
She has consulted on such films as “The Artist,” “The King’s Speech” and “Spider-Man 2.” Her re-election by the Academy’s 54-member board of governors was widely expected, although the organization’s rules prevent her from standing again next year. 

Source: Arab News