Latest news with #AwardsCommittee
Los Angeles Times
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Lynette Howell Taylor elected new president of the motion picture academy
Hollywood's most exclusive club has a new leader. Producer Lynette Howell Taylor has been elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group's board of governors announced Thursday, becoming the 37th person to hold the post in the academy's 97-year history. Howell Taylor, a member of the organization's producers branch since 2014, succeeds Janet Yang, who was elected in 2022 and is stepping down after three consecutive one-year terms. Howell Taylor takes the helm alongside CEO Bill Kramer as the organization continues to confront a rapidly shifting landscape for the Oscars and the broader film industry. An academy member since 2014 and, at 46, the youngest president named to the post in decades, the British-born Howell Taylor brings both deep production experience and long-standing involvement in academy leadership. Over the past two decades, she has produced more than 25 films, including 'A Star is Born,' which earned her a best picture nomination in 2019. Her other credits include 'Captain Fantastic,' 'Blue Valentine,' 'The Place Beyond the Pines' and the upcoming 'Roofman.' In 2020, she co-produced the 92nd Oscars ceremony with Stephanie Allain, receiving an Emmy nomination for the broadcast that was capped by a historic win for Bong Joon Ho's 'Parasite.' Within the academy, Howell Taylor served three years as vice president and chair of the powerful awards committee, where she played a key role in shaping the Oscars' direction in a time of institutional change. In a meeting at the academy's Beverly Hills headquarters, the 55-member board also elected a slate of officers for the 2025–26 term. Composer Lesley Barber, producer Jennifer Fox, documentary filmmaker Simon Kilmurry, actor Lou Diamond Phillips and screenwriter Howard A. Rodman will serve as vice presidents, with Kilmurry also taking on the role of treasurer and Rodman serving as secretary. Barber and Rodman are returning officers; the others are serving in officer roles for the first time. As president, Howell Taylor will be expected to help steer the organization through a period of reinvention and uncertainty not just for the academy but for the industry as a whole. The academy continues to wrestle with declining Oscars viewership — this year's telecast averaged 19.7 million viewers, up from the previous year but still less than half what the show pulled in at its peak in the 1990s. The presidency is an unpaid, largely ceremonial role but it has taken on added weight in recent years amid growing scrutiny of the academy's decision-making, including, most notoriously, in the aftermath of Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap. 'Lynette has been a vital part of the Academy Board of Governors for many years, most recently revitalizing our awards work as chair of the board's Awards Committee,' Kramer said in a statement. 'I so look forward to working with her as our new Academy President, as well as with these incredibly dedicated and strategic board officers. This is an exceptional group of Academy members who will advance the Academy's mission, support our membership around the world, ensure our long-term financial stability, and celebrate the achievements of the global filmmaking community.'
Scoop
03-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Auckland Hospitality Scene Stands Strong: Lewisham Awards Demonstrate Resilience Of Auckland's Hospitality Scene
Press Release – Lewisham Awards Resilience and innovations was on show as Auckland Hospitalitys best came together on Sunday night for the annual Lewisham Awards. Finalists, judges and guests packed out the Viaduct Events Centre for an evening of recognition and celebration with … 1 June 2025 Best new establishment: First Mates Last Laugh. Double win for Panacea. Karangahape Road establishments' take out three categories. Nicola Richards of Monsoon Poon honored. Resilience and innovations was on show as Auckland Hospitality's best came together on Sunday night for the annual Lewisham Awards. Finalists, judges and guests packed out the Viaduct Events Centre for an evening of recognition and celebration with a time travellers theme. The makers of the city's best cocktail, cafe lattes and mince pies, assembled to acknowledge the achievements of the past year. 'Hospitality has continued to be challenging,' observers Dan Sullivan, Chairperson of the Awards Committee. 'That hasn't stopped innovation, dedication and ultimately success in this creative commercial industry'. Karangahape Road establishments featured heavily with a double win for Apero for best Chef and Wine, best central establishment for pasta restaurant Pici, as well as the emerging talent award for the cult following of Pie Rolla. Further off the beaten track were wins from Westhaven Marina located First Mates, Last Laughs for best new establishment, founded by Judith Tabron of Soul Bar fame, as well as Avondale based Tokos Tacos for best West Auckland establishment. Nicola Richards, owner of Monsoon Poon was honoured with the Hospitality Hero award, the popular Southeast Asian restaurant closed it's doors after almost 20 years of trading in early May. 'As an industry we're seeing hospitality owners demonstrate an understanding and application of community and connection. Not only are they creating memorable experiences, they're delivering them in such a way that guests want to come back to share it with others.' says Sullivan. LEWISHAM AWARD WINNERS 2025 Best Bartender – Theo Thjandra @ Truth or Dare/Goblin Best Beer Brewer – Hallertau Best Cafe – Duo Best Chef – Leslie @ Apero Best Cocktail Experience – Panacea Best Central Auckland Establishment – Pici Front of House – Sophie Ehan @ Gilt Hospo Hero – Nicola Richards @ Monsoon Poon Best Innovation – Everybody Eats East/Waiheke – Casita Miro Best North – Fantail & Turtle Best South – Mania Seafood Boil Best West – Tokos Tacos Best New Establishment – First Mates, Last Laughs Best Producer – Kumeu River Wines Best Sustainability – Panacea
Scoop
02-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Auckland Hospitality Scene Stands Strong: Lewisham Awards Demonstrate Resilience Of Auckland's Hospitality Scene
1 June 2025 Best new establishment: First Mates Last Laugh. Double win for Panacea. Karangahape Road establishments' take out three categories. Nicola Richards of Monsoon Poon honored. Resilience and innovations was on show as Auckland Hospitality's best came together on Sunday night for the annual Lewisham Awards. Finalists, judges and guests packed out the Viaduct Events Centre for an evening of recognition and celebration with a time travellers theme. The makers of the city's best cocktail, cafe lattes and mince pies, assembled to acknowledge the achievements of the past year. 'Hospitality has continued to be challenging,' observers Dan Sullivan, Chairperson of the Awards Committee. 'That hasn't stopped innovation, dedication and ultimately success in this creative commercial industry'. Karangahape Road establishments featured heavily with a double win for Apero for best Chef and Wine, best central establishment for pasta restaurant Pici, as well as the emerging talent award for the cult following of Pie Rolla. Further off the beaten track were wins from Westhaven Marina located First Mates, Last Laughs for best new establishment, founded by Judith Tabron of Soul Bar fame, as well as Avondale based Tokos Tacos for best West Auckland establishment. Nicola Richards, owner of Monsoon Poon was honoured with the Hospitality Hero award, the popular Southeast Asian restaurant closed it's doors after almost 20 years of trading in early May. 'As an industry we're seeing hospitality owners demonstrate an understanding and application of community and connection. Not only are they creating memorable experiences, they're delivering them in such a way that guests want to come back to share it with others.' says Sullivan. LEWISHAM AWARD WINNERS 2025 Best Emerging Talent - Lewis Mazza-Carson @ Pie Rolla's Best Bartender - Theo Thjandra @ Truth or Dare/Goblin Best Beer Brewer - Hallertau Best Cafe - Duo Best Chef - Leslie @ Apero Best Cocktail Experience - Panacea Best Central Auckland Establishment - Pici Front of House - Sophie Ehan @ Gilt Hospo Hero - Nicola Richards @ Monsoon Poon Best Innovation - Everybody Eats East/Waiheke - Casita Miro Best North - Fantail & Turtle Best South - Mania Seafood Boil Best West - Tokos Tacos Best New Establishment - First Mates, Last Laughs Best Producer - Kumeu River Wines Best Sales Experience - Gina Nicholls @ Tickety Boo Best Sustainability - Panacea
