Academy Awards President Cheryl Boone Isaacs Opens up on #OscarsSoWhite Criticism

Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), has opened up about the criticisms surrounding this year's Oscar nominations.

Ever since the announcement of nominees for this year's Academy Awards, AMPAS is facing several criticisms for the lack of diversity in the nomination list.

The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag started trending on social networking sites right after the declaration of contestants for the Academy Awards and the outrage has captured the attention of many international media houses.

But Isaacs is of the opinion that the organisation is "committed to seeking out diversity of voice" and has made "greater strides" in the last two years, reported Centre Daily.

While stressing on the diversity of members in AMPAS, she said that they were also involved in the discussion and will make efforts to move the subject forward.

However, a survey report released by Los Angeles Times in 2012 stated that 94% of AMPAS members were white and 77% of them men. Since there is no concept of requirement, the organisational structure has not changed much over the last two years.

Meanwhile, the president mentioned that the selection of nominees is a peer-to-peer process and the decision does not come from a group of people or one central body.

Responding to the criticisms for missing out on "Selma" in the Best Director and Best Actor categories, Isaacs said, "It's nominated for the Oscar for best picture. It's an award that showcases the talent of everyone involved in the production of the movie 'Selma".