Oscars Makes Strides

When I sat behind Bong Joon-Ho at the Oscar ceremony two years ago, I screamed and nearly leapt out of my chair when PARASITE was announced as Best Picture. But honestly it seemed like a fluke, it being the first non-English language movie to win in that category.

Last year, we saw Chloe Zhao winning for Best Director and Best Director. And a host of underrepresented voices nominated across many categories. Perhaps this was not a fluke after all.

This year, so many colors and voices—of particular note, the deaf—are amply represented. As many have pointed out, this is the direct result of greater diversity and internationalization of our membership. I know now that it is not a fluke. This is an important movement toward a more even playing field, and a recognition that we are becoming a truly global community. All the hard work that the Academy has been doing is producing concrete, visible results. I could not be more proud to be part of this movement, starting with participation in the Academy’s A2020 Committee four years ago, and now Chairing the Membership committee for the past two years.

It is not always easy to see positive change in real time. But this is definitely happening in real time.