Film Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs has responded to the criticism that followed Thursday's Oscar nominations featuring no people of color in any acting category, making for the least racially diverse Oscars in 17 years. There were also no women nominated in the directing or writing categories.
Boone Isaacs, the first black president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, insists the academy is "committed to seeking out diversity of voice and opinion" and that outreach to women and artists of color is a major focus.
"In the last two years, we've made greater strides than we ever have in the past toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization through admitting new members and more inclusive classes of members," Boone Isaacs said. "And, personally, I would love to see and look forward to see a greater cultural diversity among all our nominees in all of our categories."
In a 2013 survey, the Los Angeles Times found of the 6,028 Academy Award voters, 76 percent were men and 93 percent were white.
IN-DEPTH
- No Actors or Actresses of Color Among Nominees
- #Oscarssowhite Opens Dialogue On Race and Diversity in Film
- Op-Ed: And the Oscar Goes to... White Men
— Jillian Sederholm and the Associated Press