Academy CEO Bill Kramer Makes the Case for a More Global Oscars at Tokyo Film Festival

The U.S. may be growing ever more isolationist under the “America First” rubric of President Donald Trump, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences remains steadfastly global in its outlook and ambitions.

That was the thrust of Academy CEO Bill Kramer’s comments at the Tokyo International Film Festival on Wednesday, where he spoke at length about his organization’s ongoing efforts to bring more international filmmakers and film lovers into the Oscars fold.

“The Academy is becoming more and more global across programs, and as part of that, you’re seeing a great increase in the number of academy members who live outside of the United States,” Kramer said. He noted the oft-cited fact that a decade ago just 5 percent of Academy members were based outside the U.S., compared with 25 percent today. And in a hat tip to the local crowd, Kramer said the Academy has about 70 Japanese members, but that he expects that number to climb.

“This is all part of our drive to create a more diverse and inclusive academy,” he said.

Kramer also underscored that Oscars nominations have already begun to reflect the increasingly cosmopolitan tastes of the member base.

“At the last Oscars, every category had international representation. It’s not just found in the international feature film category — this trend includes our best picture category,” he explained. “Of course, everybody remembers the moment when Parasite won best picture. That was sort of a pivot, or a shift, I think, in our thinking about what was possible with global cinema at the Oscars, and that continues.”

Kramer asserted that the Academy’s somewhat controversial deal with YouTube was inspired by this same desire to cultivate deeper ties with filmmakers and film lovers across the globe. The agreement gives YouTube exclusive global rights to the Oscars from 2029 through 2033, making the ceremony available live and free worldwide after ABC’s final telecast in 2028.

“In two years, the Oscars will be available on YouTube for free to 2.5 billion people around the world in over 30 languages,” he explained. “So, for the first time, everyone around the world will have access to the show at the same time and in the same format — and that is a huge, intentional move by the Academy to reach a bigger global audience.”

As part of its multifaceted international push, the Academy has brought a substantial leadership delegation to the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. Kramer’s remarks came Wednesday during a panel discussion in a sleek high-rise in Tokyo’s Hibiya district. The Oscars chief was joined by Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and Meredith Shea, the organization’s chief membership, impact and industry officer. Tokyo film festival director Takeo Hisamatsu moderated the conversation.

The Academy leaders also highlighted the new festival-winner pathway into the race for the best international feature film Oscar. Beginning with the 99th Academy Awards, eligible non-English-language films can be submitted for consideration by winning a designated major festival prize, without having to secure their country’s official selection. The route supplements the longstanding system under which approved national and regional committees each select a single entry on behalf of a country. The new program’s six qualifying festivals and their designated awards are Cannes, for its Palme d’Or; Venice, for the Golden Lion; Berlin, for the Golden Bear; Busan, for the Busan Award for best film; Sundance, for the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize; and Toronto, for the Platform Award.

During the Q&A session after the panel, Kramer was quizzed twice by audience members on whether the Tokyo International Film Festival will soon be added to the list of qualifying festivals under the new program.

The inclusion of regional rival Busan in the program and Tokyo’s omission have been received as hard news by many involved in the Japanese festival. But Kramer hinted that Tokyo might not have to wait long.

“We’re looking to expand the universe of film festivals that will help a film qualify for the international feature film category,” he said, adding: “Stay tuned, we’re just beginning.”