Staff Layoffs at Academy Film Archive as AMPAS Plans Collection Growth

A substantial number of employees from the archive and library departments of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were let go on Wednesday, including Mike Pogorzelski, who directed the Academy Film Archive for 24 years. Reports indicate that many of those affected had dedicated over a decade to the organization, resulting in a total of 16 staff members being laid off across the archive, library, and museum collection areas.

This workforce reduction was communicated by Academy CEO Bill Kramer in an internal memo obtained by Variety, and it comes as part of a broader organizational restructuring initiative. The layoffs will reorganize the archive, library, and collecting unit under a newly formed department focused on Academy Collection and Preservation.

In his message, Kramer stated, “As part of this work in building the new Academy Collection and Preservation department, some team members will be leaving the Academy this week,” while emphasizing that the layoffs impacted “less than 2% of our overall workforce.”

He recognized the challenge of bidding farewell to colleagues and assured that the Academy is committed to supporting those affected as a new reporting structure is finalized.

Neither the Academy nor the Academy Foundation Workers Union has yet commented on the layoffs. Interestingly, the announcements regarding job cuts coincided with the Academy’s uncovering of several new acquisitions just a day later, showcasing a collection that now exceeds 52 million items.

A press release issued on Thursday highlighted remarkable items, including Quentin Tarantino’s original handwritten draft of Pulp Fiction, Jamie Lee Curtis’s tearaway dress from True Lies, and over 80 artworks by renowned artists Hayao Miyazaki and Nobura Yoshida.

Matt Severson, who serves as the executive vice president of Academy collection and preservation, expressed enthusiasm about the inclusion of these iconic pieces. He remarked, “Supervised by our dedicated team of researchers, preservationists, and curators, the Academy Collection is vital in shaping the future of filmmaking,” while also extending gratitude to donors for their invaluable support in preserving film history.

Since Bill Kramer took on the role of CEO in 2022, the Academy has experienced various structural transformations, such as promoting Amy Homma to oversee the museum and expanding Matt Severson’s scope of responsibilities, which now includes managing collections, archiving, and certain functions of the Academy Museum.

Recognized globally for its comprehensive film collection, the Academy Film Archive plays a leading role in preservation efforts. Additionally, the Academy Library, known as the Margaret Herrick Library, is a prominent destination for research in film history.