Ava DuVernay joins the film academy's Board of Governors

ENTERTAINMENT

Ava DuVernay joins the film academy's Board of Governors

Published Wednesday, June 10, 2020 2:14PM EDT

Director Ava DuVernay poses for photographers at the premiere of the film "A Wrinkle In Time," in London on March 13, 2018. (Joel C Ryan/Invision)

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LOS ANGELES -- Filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been elected to the film academy's Board of Governors for the first time.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its new members Wednesday, which include the "Selma" filmmaker, "A Star is Born" producer Lynette Howell Taylor and casting director Debra Zane. The academy has increased the number of women and people of colour on the board.

Incumbent governors reelected include Whoopi Goldberg, "Dolemite Is My Name" screenwriter Larry Karaszewski and Participant Media CEO David Linde among others.

The organization that puts on the Oscars said that the number of women on the board has gone from 25 to 26 and people of colour from 11 to 12.

The Board of Governors represent each of the academy's 17 branches and work to set the organization's strategy, finances and "fulfilment of its mission."