Following calls for blacks to Boycott the Oscars, president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has admitted she is "heartbroken and frustrated" by the all-white nominations list for this year's acting awards.
The head of the Academy has spoken out following the controversy - with Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith amongst those boycotting next months' ceremony in protest.She wrote in a statement:
"I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work of this year’s nominees. While we celebrate their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion.This is a difficult but important conversation, and it’s time for big changes. The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership.
"In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond.”
"As many of you know, we have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years," she continued, admitting change couldn't come fast enough.We recognize the very real concerns of our community, and I so appreciate all of you who have reached out to me in our effort to move forward together.”
