Tag Archives: David Rubin

Los Angeles Life and Style

THE ACADEMY MUSEUM WELCOMES SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER FOR AN EVENING OF CONVERSATION, HEALING, AND CELEBRATION ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2022.

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SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER.(Credit Image: Globe Photos/ZUMA Wire)

Los Angeles, August 15, 2022—The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced today An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather, a very special program of conversation, reflection, healing, and celebration with Sacheen Littlefeather (Apache/Yaqui/AZ) on September 17, 2022. 

In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, became the first Native woman to stand onstage at the Academy Awards® ceremony, on behalf of Marlon Brando. At his request, Littlefeather did not accept Brando’s Best Actor award for The Godfather and gave a passionate 60-second speech regarding the stereotypes of Native Americans in the entertainment industry. She also brought attention to the 1973 Wounded Knee protest in South Dakota. This moment resulted in her being professionally boycotted, personally attacked and harassed, and discriminated against for the last 50 years.

Littlefeather’s speech is highlighted in the museum’s Academy Awards History gallery, and she was interviewed this spring by Jacqueline Stewart, Director and President of the Academy Museum, for the Academy Museum Podcast episode “Marlon Brando Cannot Accept this Very Generous Award” about the 1973 Oscars®, the Academy’s A.frame article , and a Visual History as part of the Academy’s Oral History Projects (to be released in September 2022). In June, Littlefeather was presented with a statement of apology, signed by former Academy President David Rubin. The apology is available in full below.

“Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people—it’s only been 50 years! We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It’s our method of survival,” said Littlefeather. “I never thought I’d live to see the day for this program to take place, featuring such wonderful Native performers and Bird Runningwater, a television and film producer who also guided the Sundance Institute’s commitment to Indigenous filmmakers for twenty years through the Institute’s Labs and Sundance Film Festival. This is a dream come true. It is profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago. I am so proud of each and every person who will appear on stage.”

Jacqueline Stewart, Director and President of the Academy Museum, said, “We are delighted and humbled that Sacheen has so generously chosen to engage with the museum and Academy to reflect upon her trying experience at the 1973 Academy Awards. Our thanks go out to Bird Runningwater and Heather Rae for helping us foster our cherished relationship with Sacheen. We hope our event on September 17 offers Sacheen and our audiences a moment of collective healing and a new path forward.”

An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather will encourage reflection on the historic evening in 1973 and focus on a future founded on healing and celebration. The event, programmed by Sacheen Littlefeather and produced by Academy Museum Vice President of Education and Public Engagement Amy Homma, is part of the museum’s ongoing dedication to creating programs and exhibitions in partnership with film artists and communities that illuminate the entertainment industry’s past and can pave the way for meaningful change in its future.

The evening’s program will include a land acknowledgement courtesy of Virginia Carmelo (Tongva/So. CA), a reading of the Academy’s letter of apology, Native American Indian performances, and a conversation between Littlefeather and Academy Member, producer, and co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance Bird Runningwater (Cheyenne/Mescalero Apache/NM). Additional performers and speakers will include Academy CEO Bill Kramer, traditional vocalist and singer Calina Lawrence (Suquamish/WA), former Academy President David Rubin and incoming Academy President Janet Yang, emcee Earl Neconie (Kiowa/OK), emcee Jacqueline Stewart, Assemblymember James Ramos (Serrano/Cahuilla/So. CA), The San Manuel Bird Singers (San Manuel/CA), Michael Bellanger (Ojibiway/MN & Kickapoo/OK) and the All Nation Singers and Dancers, and Steve Bohay (Kiowa/OK) and the Sooner Nation Singers and Dancers.

Tickets are free to the public and available on the Academy Museum website. Reservations are required.


STATEMENT OF RECONCILIATION

June 18, 2022

Dear Sacheen Littlefeather,

I write to you today a letter that has been a long time coming on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with humble acknowledgment of your experience at the 45th Academy Awards.

As you stood on the Oscars stage in 1973 to not accept the Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando, in recognition of the misrepresentation and mistreatment of Native American people by the film industry, you made a powerful statement that continues to remind us of the necessity of respect and the importance of human dignity.

The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.

We cannot realize the Academy’s mission to “inspire imagination and connect the world through cinema” without a commitment to facilitating the broadest representation and inclusion reflective of our diverse global population.
 
Today, nearly 50 years later, and with the guidance of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance, we are firm in our commitment to ensuring indigenous voices—the original storytellers—are visible, respected contributors to the global film community. We are dedicated to fostering a more inclusive, respectful industry that leverages a balance of art and activism to be a driving force for progress.

We hope you receive this letter in the spirit of reconciliation and as recognition of your essential role in our journey as an organization. You are forever respectfully engrained in our history.

With warmest regards,

David Rubin
President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 


Image: Sacheen Littlefeather, 1973, © Globe Photos/ZUMA Press
 

About the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The Academy Museum is the largest museum in the United States devoted to the arts, sciences, and artists of moviemaking. The museum advances the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through inclusive and accessible exhibitions, screenings, programs, initiatives, and collections. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the museum’s campus contains the restored and revitalized historic Saban Building—formerly known as the May Company building (1939)—and a soaring spherical addition. Together, these buildings contain 50,000 square feet of exhibition spaces, two state-of-the-art theaters, the Shirley Temple Education Studio, and beautiful public spaces that are free and open to the public. These include: The Walt Disney Company Piazza and the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby, which houses the Spielberg Family Gallery, Academy Museum Store, and Fanny’s restaurant and café. The Academy Museum exhibition galleries are open seven days a week, with hours Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 6pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm.

About the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy
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SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER / Photo/Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Los Angeles Life and Style

Will Smith Standards of Conduct Resolution – Open Letter From the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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Open Letter from Academy President, David Rubin and Academy CEO, Dawn Hudson

Los Angeles, Calif. – The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage.

During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented. 

Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation. The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.

We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.

This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted. 

Thank you,


David Rubin
President


Dawn Hudson
CEO

Los Angeles Life and Style

ACADEMY BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2021-2022 OFFICERS ELECTED, DAVID RUBIN RE-ELECTED ACADEMY PRESIDENT.

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LOS ANGELES, CA – Casting director David Rubin was re-elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization’s Board of Governors.

Also elected to officer positions by the Board:

• DeVon Franklin, Vice President (chair, Equity and Inclusion Committee)
• Donna Gigliotti, Vice President/Secretary (chair, Governance Committee)
• Larry Karaszewski, Vice President (chair, History and Preservation Committee)
• David Linde, Vice President/Treasurer (chair, Finance Committee)
• Isis Mussenden, Vice President (chair, Museum Committee)
• Wynn P. Thomas, Vice President (chair, Education and Outreach Committee)
• Jennifer Todd, Vice President (chair, Awards Committee)
• Janet Yang, Vice President (chair, Membership Committee)

Rubin is beginning his third term as president and his ninth year as a governor representing the Casting Directors Branch.  Karaszewski, Mussenden, Thomas and Yang were re-elected as officers.  This will be the first officer stint for Franklin, Gigliotti, Linde and Todd.

  • Oscar® nominees with Academy President David Rubin at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, Monday, January 27, 2020. The 92nd Oscars will air on Sunday, February 9, 2020 live on ABC.

With more than 100 film and television credits, Rubin has cast such features as “The English Patient,” “Men in Black,” “Hairspray,” “Lars and the Real Girl,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Get Shorty,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet,” “Spaceballs,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “The Firm.”

Academy board members may serve up to two three-year terms, followed by at least a two-year hiatus, after which they may serve up to two additional three-year terms.  Officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive years in any one office.

The number of officer positions increased to nine this year with the addition of the Equity and Inclusion Committee and the separation of Membership and Governance into two committees.

For a full listing of the Academy’s 2021-2022 Board of Governors, click here. 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors directs the Academy’s strategic vision, preserves the organization’s financial health and assures the fulfillment of its mission.

Governors attend 6-8 board meetings annually (in person or by video conference when out of town). Each Governor also serves on one board oversight committee and their branch’s executive committee, and they are expected to represent their branch at numerous Academy events through the year.

Governors have fiduciary responsibilities imposed by state law to serve the Academy’s best interests, by acting with responsibility and care when approving annual goals presented by management, as well as major policies concerning governance.

CEO Dawn Hudson oversees a staff of more than 400 who conduct the Academy’s day-to-day business.

OFFICERS 2021 – 2022

David Rubin

PRESIDENT – DAVID RUBIN – Mr. Rubin’s career as a casting director includes more than 90 motion pictures, including “The English Patient,” “Men in Black,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and “Lars and the Real Girl.” In 2002, he received the Casting Society of America’s Hoyt Bowers Award for outstanding contribution to the casting profession. Mr. Rubin is a governor of the Casting Directors Branch.

Donna Gigliotti

VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY – DONNA GIGLIOTTI – Ms. Gigliotti is one of only nine women to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. She received the 1998 Oscar for producing “Shakespeare In Love.” She received three additional Academy Award nominations for Best Picture: “Hidden Figures” (2016), “Silver Linings Playbook” (2013), and “The Reader”(2008). She is President of Tempesta Films, a film production company based in New York. Ms. Gigliotti is a governor of the Executives Branch.

David Linde

VICE PRESIDENT / TREASURER – DAVID LINDE – Mr. Linde is Chief Executive Officer at Participant. He has held executive, founder, and producer roles at Lava Bear Films, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, and Good Machine. He also received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture for “Arrival” in 2017. Mr. Linde is a governor of the Executives Branch.

DEVON FRANKLIN

VICE PRESIDENT – DEVON FRANKLIN – Mr. Franklin, a member of the Executives Branch, is the former SVP of Production for Columbia Pictures Entertainment and now runs his own production company, Franklin Entertainment. He has produced the hit films “Breakthrough,” “The Star,” and “Miracles from Heaven.” He is also a New York Times bestselling author and minister. Mr. Franklin is a Governor-at-Large.

Larry Karaszewski

VICE PRESIDENT – LARRY KARASZEWSKI – Mr. Karaszewski is best known for unusual true stories written in tandem with Scott Alexander. Their feature film credits include the Oscar-winning “Ed Wood,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Man on the Moon,” “Big Eyes,” and “Dolemite is My Name.” Mr. Karaszewski is co-chair of the International Feature Film category. He won the Emmy, Golden Globe, PGA and WGA Award for “The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” Mr. Karaszewski is a governor of the Writers Branch.

VICE PRESIDENT – ISIS MUSSENDEN – Ms. Mussenden’s credits include “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe” (and two additional sequels), “American Psycho,” and “The Wolverine.” In addition, she was the first costume designer to receive costume-design credit for animation: “Shrek,” “Shrek 2,” and “Puss in Boots.” Ms. Mussenden is a governor of the Costume Designers Branch.

Wynn P. Thomas

VICE PRESIDENT – WYNN P. THOMAS – Mr. Thomas’ credits include “Hidden Figures,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Cinderella Man,” “Mars Attacks!,” “Malcolm X,” and “Do the Right Thing.” Mr. Thomas is a governor of the Production Design Branch.

Jennifer Todd

VICE PRESIDENT – JENNIFER TODD – Ms. Todd produced the double Oscar-winning film “Alice in Wonderland” and the Oscar-nominated films “Memento” and “Across the Universe.” She recently produced the Emmy-nominated 89th and 90th Annual Academy Awards. Ms. Todd is a governor of the Producers Branch.

Janet Yang

VICE PRESIDENT – JANET YANG – Ms. Yang, a member of the Producers Branch, began her career in China in distribution. Her extensive film and TV producing credits include “The Joy Luck Club,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Shanghai Calling,” “High Crimes,” “Dark Matter,” “Zero Effect,” and the Oscar-nominated animated film, “Over the Moon.” She won an Emmy for the HBO film, “Indictment: The McMartin Trial.” Ms. Yang is a Governor-at-Large.

Dawn Hudson

CEO – DAWN HUDSONPrior to becoming the Academy’s CEO in 2011, Ms. Hudson was the Executive Director of Film Independent, which grew from a small non-profit into a nationally recognized arts institution under her leadership.  She has worked in the arts for more than 25 years.

For a full listing of the Academy’s 2021-2022 Board of Governors, click here.  

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach and the upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy
www.instagram.com/TheAcademy