With a global membership of more than 11,000 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — the world's largest global film museum, the expansive Academy Collection, and world-renowned awards for cinematic achievements including the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the home of a cinematic expertise and reach that is unparalleled.
The non-profit Academy was founded in May 1927 by 36 luminaries of the film community, including Louis B. Meyer, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks. Today, membership in the Academy is by invitation of the 55-person Board of Governors, the governing body of the Academy, and is limited to those who have distinguished themselves in the motion picture industry. The criteria for admittance include a body of work in motion pictures that reflects the high standards of the Academy, an achievement of unique distinction, or making an outstanding contribution to the motion picture arts or sciences.
Members representing the many professional areas within the motion picture industry are organized into 19 branches – Actors, Animation, Casting Directors, Cinematographers, Costume Designers, Directors, Documentary, Executives, Film Editors, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists, Marketing and Public Relations, Music, Producers, Production and Technology, Production Design, Short Films, Sound, Visual Effects and Writers.
Lynette Howell Taylor was elected as president of the Board of Governors in July 2025. Bill Kramer has been the CEO of the Academy since July 2022, and he oversees a staff of more than 700.