Academy Appoints Three Governors-at-Large for 2025-26 Term

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has appointed three new governors-at-large: director Haifaa al-Mansour, producer Effie T. Brown, and technology executive Annie Chang, each starting a three-year term with the 2025-2026 fiscal year. These appointments, made by outgoing Academy President Janet Yang and confirmed by the Board, aim to enhance diversity and inclusion on the Board, which now comprises 55 members with 55% women and 31% from underrepresented communities. The governors-at-large positions were created in 2016 following the #OscarsSoWhite controversy to ensure diverse voices in leadership. Al-Mansour is notable for being the first female Saudi director with films representing Saudi Arabia at the Oscars, Brown is an acclaimed independent producer, and Chang serves as VP of creative technologies at Universal and chair of the Academy’s Science and Technology Council. The Board of Governors is responsible for setting the Academy’s strategic vision, maintaining financial health, and fulfilling its mission, while governors may serve a maximum of 12 years with breaks as stipulated. This election follows the recent re-election of ten incumbents and the inclusion of various branch representatives, continuing the Academy's commitment to representation and equity.