Academy CEO Bill Kramer Woos Venice: ‘Our Future Is With International Cinema As Much As American Cinema’

variety.com:

Manori Ravindran International Editor Bill Kramer, the newly appointed CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, kicked off his charm offensive with the international film community at the Venice Film Festival, telling a small audience of journalists that the Academy’s “future is with international cinema as much as it is with American cinema.” Kramer — who is in Italy this week and will also be at Telluride — is keen to demonstrate the Academy’s support of its international contingent, which makes up more than 25% of its overall membership.

Kramer said that international members comprised 50% of the latest class of new Academy members. Kramer, who was interview by Variety’s Rome-based international correspondent Nick Vivarelli, suggested the org is looking to “educate” and “encourage” its international members to submit to more Oscar categories apart from best international feature film, and cited the multi-category success of films such as “Worst Person in the World” and “Drive My Car” in the recent Oscar season. “I feel like ‘Parasite’s’ best picture win really changed the perception of the Oscars for international filmmakers.

It’s continuing to evolve,” said Kramer. The executive, who was appointed CEO of the Academy last month, added: “When the Academy was founded in 1927, it was more focused on Hollywood and industry and PR and optics, and over time, we’ve grown into an organization that’s so much more international. “Venice Film Festival kicks off awards season and is so incredibly important to us,” continued Kramer. “We will continue to grow our presence at the festival.” The executive underlined AMPAS’ close relationship with Italy, in particular, which is the most awarded country at the Oscars.