Ava DuVernay Elected To Academy's Board Of Governors

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the results of the latest Board of Governors election and six members were elected for the first time. A notable name among the group? Ava DuVernay.

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The Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind “13th” and “Selma” will represent the Directors Branch along with two other governors previously elected. DuVernay’s election along with that of other first-timers Debra Zane (Casting Directors Branch), Linda Flowers (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch) and Lynette Howell Taylor (Producers Branch) made a small impact on the diversity of the board. There are now 26 female governors (up from 25) and 12 People of Color (up from 11 including the at-large governors).

Notable names reelected to the Board include Whoopi Goldberg (Actors Branch) and Larry Karaszewski (Writers Branch). A full list of the Academy’s Board of Governors is available here.

Elected to the Board for the first time:

Debra Zane, Casting Directors Branch
Ava DuVernay, Directors Branch
Stephen Rivkin, Film Editors Branch
Linda Flowers, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch
Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers Branch 
Rob Bredow, Visual Effects Branch

Incumbent governors reelected to the Board:

Whoopi Goldberg, Actors Branch
Mandy Walker, Cinematographers Branch
Isis Mussenden, Costume Designers Branch
Kate Amend, Documentary Branch
David Linde, Executives Branch
Christina Kounelias, Marketing and Public Relations Branch
Charles Bernstein, Music Branch
Wynn P. Thomas, Production Design Branch
Teri E. Dorman, Sound Branch
Larry Karaszewski, Writers Branch

Returning to the Board after a hiatus:

Jon Bloom, Short Films and Feature Animation Branch

Not elected at one time, the Academy’s 17 branches are each represented by three governors, who may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.  According to the Academy, “The Board of Governors sets the Academy’s strategic vision, preserves the organization’s financial health, and assures the fulfillment of its mission.”