A row of iconic gold Oscar statues standing against a dark background. — Representational image of Oscar Statues. Photo: The Academy.

Academy Elects 2026-2027 Board of Governors: Guillermo del Toro Joins Leadership in New Equity-Driven Expansion

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced its 2026-2027 Board of Governors, marking the implementation of a new bylaws amendment that ensures equal representation across all 19 branches. This incoming board achieves significant diversity milestones—comprising 47% women and 32% from underrepresented communities—while welcoming industry luminaries like Guillermo del Toro to governance roles.

RMN Stars Academy Desk
New Delhi | June 16, 2026

Academy Strengthens Governance with Equity Mandates and New Leadership

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finalized the election of its 2026-2027 Board of Governors, a group tasked with setting the organization’s strategic vision and preserving its financial health. These governors will officially take office at the first scheduled board meeting of the new term.

A Landmark Shift in Representation: Following a bylaws amendment approved in February 2026, the Academy has moved to ensure equity in board representation among its branches. Starting with the 2026-2027 term, each of the Academy’s 19 branches will be represented by three branch-elected governors.

Equity Mandate: Under a new 2026 bylaws amendment, all 19 Academy branches now hold equal representation with three governors each on the Board.

This change necessitated the addition of governors to the Animation, Production and Technology, and Short Films branches. To establish a staggered rotation, the Academy held specialized elections this year for one, two, or three-year terms in these specific branches before returning to standard three-year protocols in 2027.

New and Returning Leadership: The election results highlight a blend of fresh perspectives and veteran experience. Notable figures elected to the board for the first time include Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro (Directors Branch), cinematographer Michael Goi, composer Kris Bowers (Music Branch), and producer Fred Berger.

Several incumbents were reelected to continue their service, including:

Lou Diamond Phillips (Actors Branch)
Hannah Minghella (Executives Branch)
Wendy Aylsworth (Production and Technology Branch)

Additionally, seasoned leaders such as Bonnie Arnold (Animation Branch) and Roger Ross Williams (Documentary Branch) return to the board following a hiatus.

Inclusive Leadership: The 2026-2027 Board of Governors reaches new diversity benchmarks, with 47% female representation and 32% from underrepresented communities.

Diversity and Term Limits: The Academy reports that the newly formed board is composed of 47% women and 32% individuals from underrepresented communities, based on self-reported data. This progress reflects the Academy’s ongoing commitment to a global membership that includes over 11,000 film industry artists and leaders.

Under the Academy’s strict governance rules, governors may serve a maximum of 12 years in their lifetime. This is typically structured as two three-year terms followed by a mandatory two-year hiatus. However, a recent amendment allows a sitting Academy president to serve up to four consecutive one-year terms, even if they would otherwise be required to take a hiatus after their governor terms.