The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its newly elected 2026–2027 Board of Governors, marking a significant shift toward more equitable branch representation and a more diverse leadership structure. The new governors will officially take office at the first scheduled board meeting of the new term, shaping the Academy’s strategic vision for the coming years.
Equity in board representation: what changed for 2026–2027
In February 2026, the Academy’s Board approved a major bylaws amendment designed to ensure equity in board representation among its branches. As of the 2026–2027 Board year, each of the Academy’s 19 branches will be represented by three branch‑elected governors.
This change adds additional governors to:
- The Animation Branch
- The Production and Technology Branch
- The Short Films Branch
To establish staggered terms, governors in these three branches were elected to one‑year, two‑year or three‑year terms this year. From 2027 onward, elections will follow the standard protocol of one governor election per branch, with three‑year terms, creating a stable and balanced rotation across all branches.
Incumbent governors re-elected to the Board
Several incumbent governors have been re‑elected, providing continuity in leadership across key branches. Alphabetically by branch, they are:
- Lou Diamond Phillips – Actors Branch
- Jinko Gotoh – Animation Branch
- Daniel Orlandi – Costume Designers Branch
- Hannah Minghella – Executives Branch
- David Dinerstein – Marketing and Public Relations Branch
- Wendy Aylsworth – Production and Technology Branch
- Kalina Ivanov – Production Design Branch
- Mark P. Stoeckinger – Sound Branch
- Dana Stevens – Writers Branch
These returning governors carry forward experience in performance, animation, design, marketing and writing, helping to anchor the Board during a period of structural change.
New governors elected for the first time
Alongside the re‑elected incumbents, a new cohort of governors has joined the Board for the first time, broadening the Academy’s leadership base. Alphabetically by branch, they include:
- Michael Goi – Cinematographers’ Branch
- Guillermo del Toro – Directors Branch
- Anne Goursaud – Film Editors Branch
- Patricia Dehaney – Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch
- Kris Bowers – Music Branch
- Fred Berger – Producers Branch
- Vic Armstrong – Production and Technology Branch
- David Leitch – Production and Technology Branch
- Kim Magnusson – Short Films Branch
This group brings a mix of acclaimed filmmaking and craft expertise—spanning directing, producing, cinematography, editing and music—into the Academy’s governance.
Governors returning after a hiatus
Several governors are returning to the Board after a hiatus, offering renewed leadership and historical perspective within their branches:
- Bonnie Arnold – Animation Branch
- Bernard Telsey – Casting Directors Branch
- Roger Ross Williams – Documentary Branch
- Bob Rogers – Short Films Branch
- Paul Debevec – Visual Effects Branch
Their return strengthens representation in animation, casting, documentary and visual effects—areas central to the Academy’s mission of celebrating the full breadth of cinematic craft.
Staggered terms in Animation, Production and Technology, and Short Films
To implement the new representation model, the Academy has assigned specific term lengths within the three expanded branches:
Animation Branch
- Bonnie Arnold – elected to a three‑year term
- Jinko Gotoh – elected to a one‑year term
Production and Technology Branch
- Wendy Aylsworth – elected to a three‑year term
- Vic Armstrong – elected to a two‑year term
- David Leitch – elected to a one‑year term
Short Films Branch
- Kim Magnusson – elected to a three‑year term
- Bob Rogers – elected to a two‑year term
These staggered terms will ensure that, in future years, only one governor per branch is up for election at a time, promoting continuity and smoother transitions.
Returning governors will serve alongside
The newly elected and returning governors will join an existing group of returning Board members, including:
Pam Abdy, Haifaa al‑Mansour, Lesley Barber, K.K. Barrett, Dion Beebe, Jason Blum, Brooke Breton, Effie T. Brown, Carter Burwell, Paul Cameron, Patricia Cardoso, Eduardo Castro, Annie Chang, Peter Devlin, Jennifer Fox, Chris Hegedus, Richard Hicks, Larry Karaszewski, Laura C. Kim, Christina Kounelias, Peter Kujawski, Marlee Matlin, Isis Mussenden, Andy Nelson, Missy Parker, Gerald Quist, Jason Reitman, Nancy Richardson, Andrew Roberts, Howard A. Rodman, Terilyn A. Shropshire, Chris Tashima, Kim Taylor‑Coleman, Jean Tsien, Marlon West, Gigi Williams and Rita Wilson.
Together, these governors represent the Academy’s 19 branches, each now with three elected governors, reflecting the organization’s commitment to broad and balanced representation across all disciplines.
Governor term limits and eligibility
The Academy has also clarified governor term limits under its bylaws. Governors, including board‑elected governors‑at‑large, may serve:
- Up to two three‑year terms (consecutive or non‑consecutive),
- Followed by a two‑year hiatus,
- After which eligibility renews for up to two additional three‑year terms,
- For a lifetime maximum of 12 years.
If a governor elected in a 2026 branch election serves a term of fewer than three years—as is the case in branches currently establishing staggered terms—that shorter term does not count against the overall governor term limits. This detail ensures that the structural transition to equal branch representation does not disadvantage individual governors.
Diversity and representation on the 2026–2027 Board
As a result of the 2026–2027 election cycle and the new representation framework, the Board now comprises:
- 47% women
- 32% from under‑represented communities
These figures are based on self‑reporting and reflect the Academy’s ongoing efforts to make its leadership more representative of the wider filmmaking community. For audiences, industry professionals and observers worldwide, the updated board composition signals a continued focus on inclusivity and equitable governance.
Rules for a sitting Academy president
An additional bylaws amendment approved earlier in 2026 affects the tenure of a sitting Academy president:
- A president may run for re‑election until they have served up to four consecutive one‑year terms in the role.
- This can occur even if they would normally be required to take a two‑year hiatus after serving two governor terms.
- In such a case, the president serves as an ex officio governor until the completion of their presidential term.
This arrangement ensures continuity in executive leadership at moments when sustained presidential oversight is considered important for the Academy’s strategic direction.
The role of the Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is central to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It:
- Sets the Academy’s strategic vision,
- Preserves the organization’s financial health,
- Assures the fulfilment of its mission to advance the art and science of motion pictures.
With the newly elected 2026–2027 Board, equal branch representation, clearer term limits and a more diverse composition, the Academy positions itself to navigate future challenges in a rapidly evolving global film landscape—while continuing to uphold the standards and traditions that define the Oscars and the broader work of the organisation.
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