Film Academy Announces Leaders of Committees and Affinity Groups

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, during its annual all-members meeting on Tuesday, 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. 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,” Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement. “Their dedication helps advance our mission while ensuring that the Academy is well-positioned for the future.” 

Below are the appointed chairs and vice chairs for its 2026-2027 committees.

Academy Marquee Theater Committee

The Academy Marquee Theater Committee, which reviews submissions and recommends theaters for inclusion on the Academy Marquee Theater List, will be co-chaired by Sean Baker (Directors Branch) and Samantha Quan (Producers Branch), the couple behind Anora.

Awards Committees

The International Feature Film Executive Committee, which oversees the awards rules, submission requirements and eligibility of the Oscars’ International Feature Film category, will be co-chaired by Michèle Ohayon (Documentary Branch) and James Wilson (Producers Branch).

The Short Films Qualifying Festivals Selection Committee, which 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, will be chaired by Summer Joy Main-Muñoz (Short Films Branch).

The Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee, which reviews submissions and makes recommendations for individuals and companies to receive Scientific and Technical Awards, will be co-chaired by Darin Grant (Visual Effects Branch) and Rachel Rose (Visual Effects Branch).

Membership Committees

Branch and Category Executive Committees, which oversee branch-and category-related business, including awards rules, eligibility and the review of candidates considered for Academy membership, will be chaired by:

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, which helps guide global Academy membership initiatives, promoting connectivity among members worldwide, will be chaired by Peter Devlin (Sound Branch) and vice chaired by Khadija Alami (Producers Branch).

The London Committee, which provides advice and guidance on UK member screenings and special events, will be chaired by Maggie Todd (Marketing and Public Relations Branch) and vice chaired by May Leung (Visual Effects Branch).

The New York Committee, which provides advice and guidance on New York member screenings and special events, will be chaired by Mia Neal (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch) and vice chaired by Dana O’Keefe (Executives Branch).

Membership Affinity Groups

Academy Affinity Groups, which bring together members from shared backgrounds and affinities, with a focus on underrepresented and marginalized communities, and offer guidance on membership, awards and programming while fostering community and promoting networking and educational opportunities, will be chaired and vice chaired by:

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, which helps to ensure the Academy Museum experience is inclusive for all visitors by bringing diverse perspectives to programmatic discussions, will be chaired by Bird Runningwater (Production and Technology Branch).

The Student Academy Awards Executive Committee, which guides the direction of the Academy’s international college student filmmaking competition, including approving rules and setting standards for judging the films, will be chaired by Brooke Breton (Visual Effects Branch).

The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Executive Committee, which reads finalist screenplays for the Academy’s international program that supports emerging screenwriters and selects the recipients of the annual fellowships, will be chaired by Kim Taylor-Coleman (Casting Directors Branch).

The Science and Technology Council, which helps to guide Academy initiatives connected to scientific and technological standards and developments in filmmaking, will be chaired by Annie Chang (Production and Technology Branch) and vice chaired by Nick Cannon (Production and Technology Branch).