LOS ANGELES, CA — August 18, 2026 — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the chairs and vice chairs appointed to its committees and affinity groups for the 2026–2027 term, including leadership for the newly established Academy Marquee Theater Committee.
The Academy’s committees and affinity groups bring members together to help advance key initiatives, contribute to Academy policy and programs, and represent the interests of the organization’s membership. All chairs and vice chairs will 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.”
Academy Marquee Theater Committee
The new Academy Marquee Theater Committee will review theater submissions and recommend venues for inclusion on the Academy Marquee Theater List.
- Sean Baker (Directors Branch), co-chair
- Samantha Quan (Producers Branch), co-chair
Awards Committees
The International Feature Film Executive Committee oversees awards rules, submission requirements and eligibility for the Oscars® International Feature Film category.
- Michèle Ohayon (Documentary Branch), co-chair
- James Wilson (Producers Branch), co-chair
The Short Films Qualifying Festivals Selection Committee establishes festival eligibility criteria and reviews applications from around the world to determine which festivals and awards qualify for Oscar® consideration in the animated, documentary and live action short film categories.
- Summer Joy Main-Muñoz (Short Films Branch), chair
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
- Rachel Rose (Visual Effects Branch), co-chair
Membership Committees
The Academy’s Branch and Category Executive Committees oversee branch- and category-related matters, including awards rules, eligibility requirements and the review of candidates considered for Academy membership.
Branch and Category Executive Committee Chairs
- Rita Wilson — Actors Branch
- Marlon West — Animation Branch
- Kim Taylor-Coleman — Casting Directors Branch
- Paul Cameron — Cinematographers Branch
- Daniel Orlandi — Costume Designers Branch
- Patricia Cardoso — Directors Branch
- Jean Tsien — Documentary Branch
- Pam Abdy — Executives Branch
- Terilyn A. Shropshire — Film Editors Branch
- Gerald Quist — Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch
- Laura C. Kim — Marketing and Public Relations Branch
- Lesley Barber — Music Branch
- Effie T. Brown — Producers Branch
- Annie Chang — Production and Technology Branch
- Kalina Ivanov — Production Design Branch
- Chris Tashima — Short Films Branch
- Andy Nelson — Sound Branch
- Brooke Breton — Visual Effects Branch
- Howard A. Rodman — Writers Branch
- Keya Khayatian — Artist Representatives Category
The International Engagement Committee helps guide global Academy membership initiatives and supports connections among members around the world.
- Peter Devlin (Sound Branch), chair
- Khadija Alami (Producers Branch), vice chair
The London Committee advises on UK member screenings and special events.
- Maggie Todd (Marketing and Public Relations Branch), chair
- May Leung (Visual Effects Branch), vice chair
The New York Committee provides advice and guidance on member screenings and special events in New York.
- Mia Neal (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch), chair
- Dana O’Keefe (Executives Branch), vice chair
Membership Affinity Groups
Academy Affinity Groups bring together members who share backgrounds and affinities, with an emphasis on underrepresented and marginalized communities. The groups provide guidance on membership, awards and programming while creating opportunities for community building, networking and education.
Academy Affinity Group Chairs and Vice Chairs
- 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 works to help ensure an inclusive experience for visitors to the Academy Museum by bringing diverse perspectives into programmatic discussions.
- Bird Runningwater (Production and Technology Branch), chair
The Student Academy Awards Executive Committee guides the Academy’s international college student filmmaking competition, including approving rules and establishing standards for judging films.
- Brooke Breton (Visual Effects Branch), chair
The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Executive Committee reviews finalist screenplays for the Academy’s international program supporting emerging screenwriters and selects recipients of the annual fellowships.
- Kim Taylor-Coleman (Casting Directors Branch), chair
The Science and Technology Council helps guide Academy initiatives related to scientific and technological standards and developments in filmmaking.
- Annie Chang (Production and Technology Branch), chair
- Nick Cannon (Production and Technology Branch), vice chair
The appointments establish the Academy’s committee and affinity group leadership for the 2026–2027 term, with members taking on responsibilities across awards, membership, international engagement, accessibility, programming, education, and developments in filmmaking technology.