Academy of Motion Picture Arts Layoffs

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has laid off 16 employees, representing about 2% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring effort led by CEO Bill Kramer. These layoffs primarily affected the Academy Film Archive and its library, which have faced ongoing de-prioritization in favor of the more public-facing Academy Museum. Among those let go were long-serving staff members, including Mike Pogorzelski, the director of the Film Archive. Despite these cutbacks, the Academy is actively expanding its collection, recently announcing significant acquisitions including Quentin Tarantino's original 'Pulp Fiction' script and artwork from Studio Ghibli. The restructuring aims to consolidate various collecting and preservation efforts under a new department, reflecting a broader trend of contraction within Hollywood. This initiative coincides with preparations for the 100th Oscars in 2028, as the Academy seeks to streamline operations before renegotiating its broadcasting deal.