Film Academy Announces Newly-Appointed Leaders of Committees and Affinity Groups, Including Sean Baker and Rita Wilson

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , during its annual all-members meeting on Tuesday, announced the newly appointed chairs and vice chairs for its 2026-2027 committees and affinity groups, including appointments to the new Academy Marquee Theater Committee. All chairs and vice chairs serve one-year terms.

“As a member-led organization, we are deeply grateful to all our chairs and vice chairs for their leadership and engagement across the Academy’s work,” Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement. “Their dedication helps advance our mission while ensuring that the Academy is well-positioned for the future.” Related Stories Movies Hollywood Makeup Pioneer Rick Baker Shares His Thoughts on AI, CGI - and Stories About Eddie Murphy Movies Lynette Howell Taylor Re-Elected President of Film Academy

Below are the appointed chairs and vice chairs for its 2026-2027 committees.

The Academy Marquee Theater Committee, which reviews submissions and recommends theaters for inclusion on the Academy Marquee Theater List, will be co-chaired by Sean Baker (Directors Branch) and Samantha Quan (Producers Branch), the couple behind Anora .

The International Feature Film Executive Committee, which oversees the awards rules, submission requirements and eligibility of the Oscars’ International Feature Film category, will be co-chaired by Michèle Ohayon (Documentary Branch) and James Wilson (Producers Branch).

The Short Films Qualifying Festivals Selection Committee, which determines festival eligibility criteria and reviews global applications to select which festivals and awards should be deemed Oscar-qualifying in the animated, documentary and live action short film categories, will be chaired by Summer Joy Main-Muñoz (Short Films Branch).

The Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee, which reviews submissions and makes recommendations for individuals and companies to receive Scientific and Technical Awards, will be co-chaired by Darin Grant (Visual Effects Branch) and Rachel Rose (Visual Effects Branch).

Membership Committees Branch and Category Executive Committees, which oversee branch-and category-related business, including awards rules, eligibility and the review of candidates considered for Academy membership, will be chaired by:

Rita Wilson (chair, Actors Branch Executive Committee) Marlon West (chair, Animation Branch Executive Committee) Kim Taylor-Coleman (chair, Casting Directors Branch Executive Committee) Paul Cameron (chair, Cinematographers Branch Executive Committee) Daniel Orlandi (chair, Costume Designers Branch Executive Committee) Patricia Cardoso (chair, Directors Branch Executive Committee) Jean Tsien (chair, Documentary Branch Executive Committee) Pam Abdy (chair, Executives Branch Executive Committee) Terilyn A. Shropshire (chair, Film Editors Branch Executive Committee) Gerald Quist (chair, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch Executive Committee) Laura C. Kim (chair, Marketing and Public Relations Branch Executive Committee) Lesley Barber (chair, Music Branch Executive Committee) Effie T.