The Academy adds 6 minority leaders, apologizes for Oscar skit featuring Asian kids

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, responding to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy and a letter from 25 Asian members decrying racist stereotypes in the recent Oscars telecast, has appointed diverse new board- and committee-members.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs named filmmakers Reginald Hudlin (“House Party” and co-producer of this year’s telecast), Gregory Nava (“El Norte”) and Jennifer Yuh Nelson — who with “Kung Fu Panda 2” became the first woman to solely direct an animated feature from a major Hollywood studio — as new governors on the Academy’s 51-seat board. Their three-year terms are effective immediately. 

As well, the board appointed additional Academy members to each of its six committees, including actor Gael García Bernal (“Rosewater”), who joins the Awards and Events Committee.

“I’m proud of the steps we have taken to increase diversity,” Boone Isaacs said in a statement. “However, we know there is more to do as we move forward to make this a more inclusive organization.”

The Academy had apologized Tuesday for the Oscars sketch that stereotyped Asians and Jews, saying it regretted “that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive” and that the organization was “committed to doing our best to ensure that material in future shows be more culturally sensitive.” On March 9, actor George Takei, filmmaker Ang Lee and others members of Asian heritage delivered a letter demanding the Academy take “concrete steps” to avoid “such tasteless and offensive skits” and “perpetuation of racist stereotypes.”