Over 600 Academy members signed an open letter criticizing the Academy for its vague and insufficient response to the violent assault and detention of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, calling for stronger and more explicit support for marginalized voices.

A petition launched on Change.org by film preservationists called on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to rehire 16 archival and library staff members laid off during a recent reorganization. Critics argue the cuts undermine the institution's mission to preserve film history and erode vital institutional knowledge.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has laid off 16 staff members from its archive and library as part of a broad restructuring effort to consolidate its preservation and archival operations under a new department. The change, announced via an internal email by CEO Bill Kramer, reflects the organization’s strategic reorganization but has resulted in job cuts that raise concerns about fair labor practices.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences cut 2% of its workforce, resulting in 16 employees losing their jobs from collection and preservation departments. The layoffs, effective October 30, 2024, are part of an 18‐month restructuring effort aimed at streamlining operations amidst concerns over future revenue from the upcoming 100th Oscars and expiring broadcast deals.

In fall of 2022, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Michael J. Fox with an honorary Oscar—the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award—in recognition of his humanitarian contributions and advocacy for Parkinson’s research, as referenced in a January 2025 news release.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced new diversity standards for the Best Picture category aimed at reflecting the diversity of the movie-going audience. The guidelines, part of the Academy Aperture 2025 initiative, require films to meet criteria related to on-screen representation and narratives that include underrepresented racial, ethnic, and other marginalized groups.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new initiative, 'Academy Aperture 2025,' which will require future Oscar nominees to meet diversity and inclusion standards. The policy, unveiled on June 12, 2020, comes amid widespread criticism over historical underrepresentation of diverse voices in the film industry and follows protests against institutional racism.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revised its membership rules by limiting voting rights to active industry participants and setting a goal to double minority and female membership. The reforms, aimed at addressing diversity issues within the film industry, have triggered protests from older members while civil rights advocates argue that more comprehensive changes are needed.