Oscar Academy admits 46% women and 41% minorities in 2016 membership overhaul

Following accusations of sexism and racial discrimination in the 2016 Oscar nominations—where all 20 acting nominees were white for the second consecutive year—the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has admitted 683 new members for 2017 voting. According to the Academy's own statistics, 46% of the new cohort are women and 41% are from ethnic minorities, including Asian, Latino, and African American members. However, overall Academy membership remains overwhelmingly white and male, with minorities at 8–11% and women at 25–27%. The Academy board has pledged to double the numbers of women and minority representatives by 2020. Additionally, new rules prohibit jurors from attending lavish parties organized by major studios to influence voting, leading to debates over what constitutes "luxurious"—caviar and champagne are out, canapés and chardonnay are in. Director Spike Lee had announced he would boycott the Oscar ceremony in protest.