Oscar Winner Kris Bowers Elected to Motion Picture Academy Board
Kris Bowers, an Oscar-winning and multiple Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer, has been elected to the Board of Governors of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He will represent the music branch, joining current governors Lesley Barber and Carter Burwell. Bowers' election impacts the board's diversity, which now comprises 47% women and 32% from underrepresented communities, based on self-reported data. The governors are responsible for the Academy's strategic vision and mission fulfillment.
Kris Bowers, known for his work in film scoring and documentary short films, has been elected to the Board of Governors of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He will serve as a representative for the music branch, taking office at the new term's first scheduled board meeting.
Bowers received an Oscar for the documentary short film "The Last Repair Shop," a collaboration with Ben Proudfoot. He also earned Oscar nominations for film scoring on "The Wild Robot" and for the documentary short "A Concerto Is a Conversation," also with Proudfoot. His credits include scoring films such as "Green Book," "The United States vs. Billie Holiday," "Respect," "King Richard," "The Color Purple," and "Bob Marley: One Love," alongside TV shows like "Bridgerton."
In addition to his three Oscar nods, Bowers has garnered four Grammy nominations and four Primetime Emmy nominations. His Grammy nominations include one in 2020 for his arrangement of "Blue Skies" from "Green Book" and subsequent nominations for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for "Bridgerton," "The Color Purple," and "The Wild Robot." His Emmy nominations recognize his work on "When They See Us," "Mrs. America," and two for "Bridgerton."
Bowers, 37, succeeds Richard Gibbs, whose term has concluded. He will serve alongside composers Lesley Barber and Carter Burwell, who are currently midterm governors for the music branch. The Academy's 19 branches are each represented by three governors.
The Board of Governors is tasked with setting the Academy's strategic vision, ensuring its financial stability, and fulfilling its mission. Following this election, the board's composition includes 47% women and 32% from underrepresented communities, based on self-reported information. Governors can serve up to two three-year terms, followed by a two-year hiatus, after which they may be eligible for two additional three-year terms, with a lifetime maximum of 12 years.
According to Billboard, Barber, 63, is recognized for her score for "Manchester by the Sea," while Burwell, 71, has scored films such as "Fargo" and received Oscar nominations for "Carol," "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," and "The Banshees of Inisherin."
