Selma (top left) missed out in some categories but faces seven others in the Best Film category
The president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts says she would like to see more diversity in Oscar nominations, after a row about this year’s nominees.
All 20 contenders in the main acting categories are white and there are no female nominees in the directing or writing categories.
The Academy, which picks the contenders, has faced strong criticism.
But Cheryl Boone Isaacs said she was proud of the nominees and that the body was “making strides” towards diversity.
Ms Boone Isaacs, who is the first African-American president of the Academy, told AP the organisation is “committed to seeking out diversity of voice and opinion”.
Cheryl Boone Isaacs says the film industry needs to do more work on diversity
“In the last two years, we’ve made greater strides than we ever have in the past toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation through admitting new members and more inclusive classes of members,” she said.
She added she would “love to see” greater diversity among the nominees.
‘Selma’ snub
After the nominees were announced, people mocked the make-up of the awards using the “OscarsSoWhite” hashtag.
Selma was being given a screening at the White House on Friday evening
There has been much focus on Martin Luther King biopic Selma, with director Ava DuVernay and star David Oyelowo both missing out.
At the Critics’ Choice award, another Selma actor, Wendell Pierce, said there would be “amazement” Oyelowo was not nominated once people saw the film.
But Ms Boone Isaacs said acclaim for Selma was reflected in its Best Picture nomination, which is chosen by all the academy members.
She said that while the Academy …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
