10 film noms for diversity at the Oscars
An Oscar gong
THE Oscars will feature 10 Best Picture nominees in its awards every year to promote inclusivity.
Until now the number of films nominated for the big prize has been flexible but usually no larger than five.
Following global Black Lives Matter protests, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says it wants to advance “inclusion”, “representation” and “equitable hiring practices” in the industry with a new initiative, which will affect its famous ceremony.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said: “The need to address this issue is urgent.”
An all-white list of acting nominees in 2015 and 2016 angered many film-makers.
Several boycotted the latter ceremony while #Oscarssowhite created discussions on Twitter.
yPRINCE Andrew would be making an “astounding error” were he to visit the US – as investigators battle to force him to give evidence about his paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein.
US legal experts have said the royal cannot be compelled to co-operate with the FBI on an underage sex trafficking probe into the financier who killed himself last August while awaiting trial.
Ex-government prosecutor Rob Feitel conceded: “It would be an error of astounding proportion for him to come to the US.
“It would probably also be an error for him to ever meet with US law enforcement authorities and make a statement.” The Department of Justice has filed a legal request to Britain hoping to force the royal into providing a statement or an interview. Former federal prosecutor David Weinstein has called the Mutual Legal Assistance request a “last resort”. He added that even if approved by the Home Office, Andrew retained the right not to comply as he could invoke rights against self-incrimination.
If he did visit, he could be served legal papers by lawyers for Epstein’s victims.
This week, the Duke’s legal team hit back at claims by New York prosecutor Geoffrey Berman, who is heading the inquiry into Epstein, he had provided “zero co-operation” to their investigation.
They said Andrew had on three occasions offered assistance.
But Mr Berman said: “Prince Andrew yet again sought to falsely portray himself to the public as eager and willing to co-operate with an investigation.”
Lawyers for the victims, acting in civil cases, say they have approached the Prince several times on behalf of Virginia Giuffre.
Epstein’s former “teen sex slave” has accused Andrew of sleeping with her three times – once in London in March 2001 when she was 17.
He vehemently denies her claims saying he did not recall meeting her.
Her lawyer Brad Edwards said that despite numerous attempts for a deposition he has been stonewalled.
“We’ve received correspondence there were other loops and hoops we’d have to jump through – and that even then it would be highly unlikely,” Edwards said.
“I’ve always been given the impression that, whether he has immunity or not, he certainly behaves like he does.”
Andrew with Virginia