The United States may have become more isolationist under President Donald Trump’s “America First” rubric, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences remains steadfastly global in its outlook and ambitions.
That was the thrust of Academy CEO Bill Kramer’s comments at the Tokyo International Film Festival on Wednesday, where he spoke at length about his organization’s ongoing efforts to bring more international filmmakers and film lovers to the Oscars.
“The Academy is becoming more and more global across all programs, and as part of that, you’re seeing a huge increase in the number of Academy members living outside the United States,” Kramer said. He noted the oft-cited fact that a decade ago only 5 percent of Academy members lived outside the US, compared to 25 percent today. And in a message to the local crowd, Kramer said the academy has about 70 Japanese members, but he expects that number to grow.
“This is part of our drive to create a more diverse and inclusive academy,” he said.
Kramer also underlined that Oscar nominations have already begun to reflect the increasingly cosmopolitan tastes of the member base.
“At previous Oscars, there was international representation in every category. This isn’t just found in the international feature film category – this trend also includes our Best Picture category,” he explained. “Of course, everyone remembers the moment when parasite Won Best Picture. I think that was and continues to be a pivot or a shift in our thinking about what’s possible with global cinema at the Oscars.”
Kramer stressed that the Academy’s somewhat controversial deal with YouTube was motivated by this same desire to build deeper relationships with filmmakers and film lovers around the world. The agreement gives YouTube exclusive global rights to the Oscars from 2029 to 2033, making the ceremony available live and free worldwide after ABC’s final broadcast in 2028.
“In two years, the Oscars will be available to 2.5 billion people around the world for free on YouTube in more than 30 languages,” he said. “So, for the first time, everyone around the world will have access to the show at the same time and in the same format – and this is a big, deliberate step by the Academy to reach a larger global audience.”
As part of its multifaceted international effort, the Academy has brought a large leadership delegation to the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. Cramer’s comments came during a panel discussion on Wednesday in a high-rise building in Tokyo’s Hibiya district. The Oscar chief was joined by Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor and Meredith Shea, the organization’s chief membership, impact and industry officer. Tokyo Film Festival director Takeo Hisamatsu moderated the conversation.
From left: Meredith Shea, Academy’s chief membership, impact and industry officer; Jenny Galante, Academy’s chief revenue and business development officer; Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Amy Homma, Director and Chair of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Academy Collection; and Jennifer Davidson, the Academy’s chief marketing, communications and content officer.
Tokyo International Film Festival
Academy leaders also highlighted the new festival-winning path into the race for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. Beginning with the 99th Academy Awards, eligible non-English language films may be submitted for consideration by winning a specified major festival award, without having to secure an official selection from their country. This route complements the long-standing system whereby approved national and regional committees select a single entry on behalf of a country. The six eligible festivals of the new program and their nominated awards are Cannes, for its Palme d’Or; Venice, for the Golden Lion; Berlin for the Golden Bear; Busan for the Busan Award for Best Film; Sundance, for the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize; and Toronto, for the Platform Award.
During the question-and-answer session following the panel, Kramer was questioned twice by audience members about whether the Tokyo International Film Festival would soon be added to the list of eligible festivals under the new program.
The inclusion of regional rival Busan and the exclusion of Tokyo has been taken as tough news by many Japanese festival attendees. But Cramer indicated Tokyo would not have to wait long.
“We are looking to expand the scope of film festivals that will allow a film to qualify for the international feature film category,” he said.