The Oscar voters are getting busy and proving there is more to being an Academy member than just casting a ballot.

Among those serving will be four-time Oscar winner Sean Baker heading up the newly formed Academy Marquee Theater Committee along with co-chair (and his wife) Samantha Quan who is also an Oscar winner. This is the new initiative with the Academy choosing theaters for inclusion on their list of outstanding motion picture theatres around world.

In total the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the newly appointed chairs and vice chairs for its 2026-2027 committees and affinity groups, including appointments to the new Academy Marquee Theater Committee. The Academy’s committees and affinity groups bring together members to advance key initiatives, inform Academy policy and programs and serve the interests of its membership. All chairs and vice chairs serve one-year terms.“As a member-led organization, we are deeply grateful to all our chairs and vice chairs for their leadership and engagement across the Academy’s work,” said Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor and Academy CEO Bill Kramer. “Their dedication helps advance our mission while ensuring that the Academy is well-positioned for the future.” The 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 CommitteeSamantha Quan (Producers Branch), co-chair, Academy Marquee Theater Committee

AWARDS COMMITTEESThe International Feature Film Executive Committee oversees the awards rules, submission requirements and eligibility of the OscarsŸ International Feature Film category. 

MichĂšle Ohayon (Documentary Branch), co-chair, International Feature Film Executive CommitteeJames 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 OscarŸ-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 CommitteeRachel Rose (Visual Effects Branch), co-chair, Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEESBranch 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 CommitteeKhadija 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 CommitteeMay 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 CommitteeDana O’Keefe (Executives Branch), vice chair, New York Committee

MEMBERSHIP AFFINITY GROUPSAcademy 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 GroupGuneet Monga (Producers Branch), vice chair, Asian Affinity GroupTaura Stinson (Music Branch), chair, Black CaucusRenard T. Jenkins (Production and Technology Branch), vice chair, Black CaucusÀlex Lora (Short Films Branch), chair, Disability & AccessibilityChelsea Winstanley (Producers Branch), chair, Indigenous AllianceHoward Berger (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch), co-chair, Jewish Heritage Affinity GroupSteven Raphael (Marketing and Public Relations Branch), co-chair, Jewish Heritage Affinity GroupCarlos LĂłpez Estrada (Directors Branch), chair, La AgendaCarla GutiĂ©rrez (Documentary Branch), vice chair, La AgendaAndrew Ahn (Directors Branch), co-chair, LGBTQ+ CoalitionKimberly Reed (Documentary Branch), co-chair, LGBTQ+ CoalitionHaifaa al-Mansour (Directors Branch), chair, MENA & WANA AllianceEdie Ichioka (Film Editors Branch), chair, Women’s Affinity GroupGennie Rim (Animation Branch), vice chair, Women’s Affinity Group

ACADEMY FOUNDATION COMMITTEESThe 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 CouncilNick Cannon (Production and Technology Branch), vice chair, Science and Technology

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