Academy Announces Changes For Membership In Wake Of #OscarsSoWhite Backlash

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The academy behind the Oscars announced sweeping changes Friday with a goal of doubling the number of women and diverse members by 2020.

In response to the #OscarsSoWhite backlash that erupted following the announcement of this year's Oscar nominees, which didn't include any persons of color, the Board of Governors of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved the changes in a unanimous vote Thursday night.

"The Academy is going to lead and not wait for the industry to catch up," Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a statement. "These new measures regarding governance and voting will have an immediate impact and begin the process of significantly changing our membership composition."

Even with a number of critically acclaimed films such as "Creed," "Concussion," "Beasts Of No Nation" and the N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton," to choose from, not one actor or director of color was nominated for a 2016 Academy Award. The films weren't completely shut out of the nominations, however -- Sylvester Stallone received a best supporting actor nod for the film "Creed" and "Compton" received a screenplay nomination -- for two white screenwriters.

The criticism was especially sharp because it was the second year in a row that actors and directors of color have been shut out. Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett and Will Smith, who stars in "Concussion," have all announced their decision to boycott this year's Academy Awards.

According to the Academy's announcement Friday, the new changes include limiting each new member's voting status to 10 years, membership renewal available only to members who are active in motion pictures during that decade, and lifetime voting rights only after three 10-year terms. Members who do not qualify for active status will be moved to emeritus status.

The changes will go into effect later this year and will not affect the voting for this year's Oscars.

The academy will also supplement the traditional sponsorship process with a global campaign to identify and recruit new members who present greater diversity. And, to immediately diversify the Board of Governors, the academy will establish three new seats to be nominated by the president for three-year terms.