Motion Picture Academy Names Sean Baker and Samantha Quan as Chairs of Marquee Theater Committee

Additional chairs and vice chairs for the 2026-27 committees and affinity groups were also named.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Sean Baker and his partner, producer Samantha Quan, as the co-chairs of the new Marquee Theater Committee, which reviews submissions and recommends venues to be included on the Academy Marquee Theater List. 

Additional chairs and vice chairs for the 2026-27 committees and affinity groups were also named, each serving a one-year term. The Academy’s committees and affinity groups are aimed to advance key initiatives and inform Academy policy while serving the interests of its memberships. 

“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.” 

Baker won four Academy Awards in 2025 for his film “Anora.” Clockwork recently bought the distribution rights to Baker’s next project, “Ti Amo!,” which he previously told Variety was ”my love letter to the Italian sex comedies of the ’60s and ’70s.”

See the full list of Academy committees and affinity groups, along with an explanation of their purpose, and who is leading them below.

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 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 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 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 López Estrada (Directors Branch), chair, La AgendaCarla Gutiérrez (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 Council