For the second year in a row, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has nominated an all-white group of acting nominees, passing over popular, well-reviewed performances in “Creed” and “Straight Outta Compton” and failing to nominate prominent actors of color in 2015 films, including Idris Elba, Samuel L. Jackson and Will Smith.
The homogeneous group of nominees comes as the academy is in the midst of a major push to diversify its membership and after academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs in November announced a new initiative — A2020 — designed to promote inclusion within its staff.
Several nominees noted the lack of diversity on the Oscar short list, but said the issue went beyond awards shows.
“I thought ‘Compton’ was going to get a picture nomination and was disappointed it didn’t, ” said producer Steve Golin, a best picture nominee for both “Spotlight” and “The Revenant.” “But part of the problem I think is there are not that many movies that have a racial mix. I don’t think people vote [based on] race. It comes from the movies — if there were more that were racially diverse I think we’d see more balance at the Oscars.”
