Academy Re-Elects Pres John Bailey, Votes Awards Changes

At a meeting held Tuesday night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors re-elected John Bailey as president for a second term — he has been a governor in the Cinematographers Branch for 15 years.

The other officers elected were:

• Lois Burwell, First Vice President (chair, Awards and Events Committee)
• Sid Ganis, Vice President (chair, Museum Committee) – previously Academy President 2005-2009
• Larry Karaszewski, Vice President (chair, Preservation and History Committee)
• Nancy Utley, Vice President (chair, Education and Outreach Committee) – re-elected
• Jim Gianopulos, Treasurer (chair, Finance Committee)
• David Rubin, Secretary (chair, Membership and Administration Committee) – re-elected

Bailey and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson also issued a memo to member, outlining changes to the Oscar ceremony, including a new “popular film” category, date change for 2020, and a length cap of three hours, as Deadline reports.

The next Academy Awards will be held February 24, 2019.

Board-approved changes, per the memo:

1. “1. A three-hour Oscars telecast
   We are committed to producing an entertaining show in three hours, delivering a more accessible Oscars for our viewers worldwide. To honor all 24 award categories, we will present select categories live, in the Dolby Theatre, during commercial breaks (categories to be determined). The winning moments will then be edited and aired later in the broadcast.
2. New award category
   We will create a new category for outstanding achievement in popular film. Eligibility requirements and other key details will be forthcoming.
3. Earlier airdate for 92nd Oscars
   The date of the 92nd Oscars telecast will move to Sunday, February 9, 2020, from the previously announced February 23. The date change will not affect awards eligibility dates or the voting process.”