Directors Sean Baker and Haifaa al-Mansour, producers James Wilson and Effie T. Brown and actress Rita Wilson are among more than four dozen Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members who have been appointed as chairs or vice chairs for the organization’s 2026-27 committees.
Baker, who often celebrated the art of theatrical moviegoing in his acceptance speeches when he won for his 2024 Best Picture winner “Anora,” will head the Academy Marquee Theater Committee alongside his partner and producer, Samantha Quan.
Documentary filmmaker Michèle Ohayon and producer James Wilson will head the International Feature Film Executive Committee, which oversees the Best International Feature Film category.
Here is the full list, from the Academy press release:
Academy Marquee Theater Committee reviews submissions and recommends theaters for inclusion on the Academy Marquee Theater List.
Sean Baker (Directors Branch), co-chair, Academy Marquee Theater Committee Samantha Quan (Producers Branch), co-chair, Academy Marquee Theater Committee
Awards Committees
The International Feature Film Executive Committee oversees the awards rules, submission requirements and eligibility of the Oscars® International Feature Film category.
Michèle Ohayon (Documentary Branch), co-chair, International Feature Film Executive Committee James Wilson (Producers Branch), co-chair, International Feature Film Executive Committee
The Short Films Qualifying Festivals Selection Committee determines festival eligibility criteria and reviews global applications to select which festivals and awards should be deemed Oscar®-qualifying in the animated, documentary and live action short film categories.
Summer Joy Main-Muñoz (Short Films Branch), chair, Short Films Qualifying Festivals Selection Committee
The Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee reviews submissions and makes recommendations for individuals and companies to receive Scientific and Technical Awards.
Darin Grant (Visual Effects Branch), co-chair, Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee Rachel Rose (Visual Effects Branch), co-chair, Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee
Membership Committees
Branch and Category Executive Committees oversee branch-and category-related business, including awards rules, eligibility and the review of candidates considered for Academy membership. Branch and Category Executive Committee chairs (alphabetically by branch and category):
Rita Wilson (chair, Actors Branch Executive Committee) Marlon West (chair, Animation Branch Executive Committee) Kim Taylor-Coleman (chair, Casting Directors Branch Executive Committee) Paul Cameron (chair, Cinematographers Branch Executive Committee) Daniel Orlandi (chair, Costume Designers Branch Executive Committee) Patricia Cardoso (chair, Directors Branch Executive Committee) Jean Tsien (chair, Documentary Branch Executive Committee) Pam Abdy (chair, Executives Branch Executive Committee) Terilyn A. Shropshire (chair, Film Editors Branch Executive Committee) Gerald Quist (chair, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch Executive Committee) Laura C. Kim (chair, Marketing and Public Relations Branch Executive Committee) Lesley Barber (chair, Music Branch Executive Committee) Effie T. Brown (chair, Producers Branch Executive Committee) Annie Chang (chair, Production and Technology Branch Executive Committee) Kalina Ivanov (chair, Production Design Branch Executive Committee) Chris Tashima (chair, Short Films Branch Executive Committee) Andy Nelson (chair, Sound Branch Executive Committee) Brooke Breton (chair, Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee) Howard A. Rodman (chair, Writers Branch Executive Committee) Keya Khayatian (chair, Artist Representatives Category Executive Committee)
The International Engagement Committee helps guide global Academy membership initiatives, promoting connectivity among members worldwide.
Peter Devlin (Sound Branch), chair, International Engagement Committee Khadija Alami (Producers Branch), vice chair, International Engagement Committee
The London Committee provides advice and guidance on UK member screenings and special events.
Maggie Todd (Marketing and Public Relations Branch), chair, London Committee May Leung (Visual Effects Branch), vice chair, London Committee
The New York Committee provides advice and guidance on New York member screenings and special events.
Mia Neal (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch), chair, New York Committee Dana O’Keefe (Executives Branch), vice chair, New York Committee
Membership Affinity Groups
Academy Affinity Groups bring together members from shared backgrounds and affinities, with a focus on underrepresented and marginalized communities. They offer guidance on membership, awards and programming while fostering community and promoting networking and educational opportunities. Academy Affinity Group chairs and vice chairs (alphabetically by affinity group):
Stephanie Lowry (Music Branch), chair, Asian Affinity Group Guneet Monga (Producers Branch), vice chair, Asian Affinity Group Taura Stinson (Music Branch), chair, Black Caucus Renard T. Jenkins (Production and Technology Branch), vice chair, Black Caucus Àlex Lora (Short Films Branch), chair, Disability & Accessibility Chelsea Winstanley (Producers Branch), chair, Indigenous Alliance Howard Berger (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch), co-chair, Jewish Heritage Affinity Group Steven Raphael (Marketing and Public Relations Branch), co-chair, Jewish Heritage Affinity Group Carlos López Estrada (Directors Branch), chair, La Agenda Carla Gutiérrez (Documentary Branch), vice chair, La Agenda Andrew Ahn (Directors Branch), co-chair, LGBTQ+ Coalition Kimberly Reed (Documentary Branch), co-chair, LGBTQ+ Coalition Haifaa al-Mansour (Directors Branch), chair, MENA & WANA Alliance Edie Ichioka (Film Editors Branch), chair, Women’s Affinity Group Gennie Rim (Animation Branch), vice chair, Women’s Affinity Group
Academy Foundation Committees
The Academy Museum Inclusion Advisory Committee helps to ensure the Academy Museum experience is inclusive for all visitors by bringing diverse perspectives to programmatic discussions.
Bird Runningwater (Production and Technology Branch), chair, Academy Museum Inclusion Advisory Committee
The Student Academy Awards Executive Committee guides the direction of the Academy’s international college student filmmaking competition, including approving rules and setting standards for judging the films.
Brooke Breton (Visual Effects Branch), chair, Student Academy Awards Executive Committee
The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Executive Committee reads finalist screenplays for the Academy’s international program that supports emerging screenwriters and selects the recipients of the annual fellowships.
Kim Taylor-Coleman (Casting Directors Branch), chair, Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Executive Committee
The Science and Technology Council helps to guide Academy initiatives connected to scientific and technological standards and developments in filmmaking.
Annie Chang (Production and Technology Branch), chair, Science and Technology Council Nick Cannon (Production and Technology Branch), vice chair, Science and Technology Council
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