The lack of diversity (gender and ethnic) at this year's Oscars meant that the focal point of the night was #OscarsSoWhite as opposed to the films that were nominated on the night.
With not one nominee of an ethnic minority in the top four categories for the second year in a row and a perceived white prestige that pervaded the whole 2016 ceremony, the Board of Governors have finally taken the decision to add on 638 members that will induct a much-needed change. In the most diverse step taken thus far, they've extended the invitation to 46% women and 41% people of colour. Beforehand, the BOG consisted of a meager 25% female and 8% POC.
With 2015 being a year of modern Renaissance in Irish film, the 2016 Oscars saw a total of 9 nominations received for Irish contributions in film with Benjamin Cleary's short film Stutterer won an Oscar in his category. Those figures whose names came up constantly in Oscar talks have now been invited to join the Oscar voters. Director Benjamin Cleary (Stutterer), director John Crowley (Brooklyn), director Lenny Abrahamson (Room), producer Ed Guiney (Room) and author/screenwriter Emma Donoghue (Room) are the chosen ones.
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs believes that this substantial step forward in addressing the diversity issue is a thing of celebration and continuation of a conversation and change that is only in its early stages of implementation; "In the next four years, it’s important to finalize the goal that we set. The conversation is continuing. I think there is going to be a lot of positive energy that will pollinate and make more.”
Following on from the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the Academy have promised to double its minority and female membership by 2020.