'Straight Outta Compton' Producer Addresses 'Unfair' Oscar Nominations
Movie

Sounding off about the lack of diversity in the 88th annual Academy Awards' nomination list, Will Packer calls the snubs 'unfair' and 'embarrassing.'

AceShowbiz - Will Packer, "Straight Outta Compton" executive producer, weighed in on the lack of diversity in the 88th annual Academy Awards' nomination list. He posted on Facebook on January 16 a lengthy note in which he called the snubs "unfair" and "embarrassing."

"I want to congratulate all of the Academy Award nominees. These people are quite deserving of being recognized as the best in their field this year," Will began his note, before mentioning a number of people who weren't nominated for the Oscars this year, "But who I REALLY want to applaud are some other actors, directors and producers who were at the top of their game this year. A list that includes, but is not limited to, Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan [and] Will Smith."

"To my #OscarsSoWhite folks who are angry at the absurd lack of diversity highlighted yet again by this year's Oscar noms. Trust me, I get it. Those of us in the industry who labor to make the best content we can are especially sensitive to a perceived systemic bias against a group of people or type of film," said Will in reference to films focusing on black stories being snubbed from the awards show for the second consecutive year.

He continued, "The reason the rest of the world looks at us like we have no clue is because in 2016 it's a complete embarrassment to say that the heights of cinematic achievement have only been reached by white people. I repeat-it's embarrassing. It's unfair to the performers of color who sacrificed so much, laid it all on the line AND DELIVERED with their projects this year."

After applauding Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Producer Reginald Hudlin for their attempts to bring diversity to the annual awards show, Will concluded, "I look forward to working with them both to be a part of positive change going forward. WE must do better. We will. And make no mistake, we have."

I want to congratulate all of the Academy Award nominees. These people are quite deserving of being recognized as the...

Posted by Will Packer on Friday, January 15, 2016

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