Film Academy Re-Elects Janet Yang for Another Term as President

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday that Janet Yang has been re-elected as its president. Yang, who has held the position since August 2022, will continue her leadership for a third term.

In addition, new vice president roles were filled: Lesley Barber as chair of the Membership Committee, DeVon Franklin as chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee, Donna Gigliotti as chair of the Finance Committee and treasurer, Lynette Howell Taylor as chair of the Awards Committee, and Howard A. Rodman as chair of the Governance Committee and secretary.

Franklin, Howell Taylor, and Rodman have been re-elected, while Gigliotti returns to an officer role after a previous stint, and Barber steps into her first officer position.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed enthusiasm about Yang’s re-election and the new slate of board officers. “I am thrilled to have Janet return for another term and excited to work with this year’s dedicated board officers to further the Academy’s mission, celebrate international filmmaking, and ensure our financial health,” Kramer stated.

Yang’s presidency has coincided with a period of relative calm and positive developments for the Academy, contrasting with the controversies of the past. The recent member survey revealed record-high approval ratings for the Academy and its most recent Oscars broadcast.

Before her presidency, Yang, born in Queens to Chinese immigrants, played a key role in bridging the Chinese and Hollywood film industries and produced outstanding films such as The Joy Luck Club. She has served on the Academy’s board of governors since 2019 as a governor-at-large and is the first in this role to become president.

At 68, Yang is beginning her third term as president and her sixth year as a governor-at-large. She will be ineligible for the presidency or board membership for the next two years after this term due to board term limits but could return for up to two additional three-year terms afterward.