The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced the election of actor, director, and producer Eva Longoria to its board of trustees. The museum also announced the appointment of motion picture executive and producer Sid Ganis as the museum’s first honorary trustee, a lifetime position. As the governing body of the Academy Museum, the board leads the museum toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies in addition to securing adequate resources to advance the museum’s mission.
Ted Sarandos, board chair and co-CEO of Netflix, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Eva Longoria to the board of trustees, where her dedication to inclusiveness, education, and philanthropy will contribute powerfully to our work in guiding the Academy Museum. Sid Ganis, a towering figure in our industry, has been critical to the entire process of making the Academy Museum a reality. We are proud to recognize his commitment by naming him a lifetime honorary trustee.”
Academy Museum director and president Bill Kramer added, “I join Ted and the entire Academy Museum board of trustees in welcoming Eva and Sid. Both Eva and Sid deeply embody so many traits that will help us achieve our mission to advance the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema. Their knowledge of the film industry, commitment to philanthropy, and advocacy of diversity and inclusion will help the Academy Museum share with our visitors the many stories of moviemaking—the art, technology, artists, history, and social impact.”
Longoria and Ganis join existing board members Sarandos, chair; Miky Lee (Mie Kyung Lee), vice-chair; Kimberly Steward, secretary; Jim Gianopulos, treasurer; Patricia S. Bellinger, Jason Blum, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Laura Dern, David Dolby, Sidonie Seydoux Dumas, Ray Halbritter, Tom Hanks, Dawn Hudson, Bill Kramer, Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, Ryan Murphy, Isis Mussenden, Dominic Ng, Katherine Oliver, David Rubin, Regina K. Scully, Emma Thomas, Diane von Furstenberg, and Kevin Yeaman.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will open to the public on September 30, 2021.
Longoria has been leading the charge of diverse and female representation since her starring role in the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives (2004–2012). Through her production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, Longoria has become one of the most significant trailblazers in representation and recently renewed her overall deal with 20th Television. Founded in 2005, the company actively chooses purposeful projects that accurately represent the stories of the Latinx and other underrepresented communities. It was also recently announced that the company will partner with ViacomCBS’s Entertainment & Youth Group for their First Time Directors program highlighting BIPOC and women filmmakers to produce fifty films across the group’s portfolio of networks and streaming services.
Longoria has directed countless hours of television and is currently preparing to direct three feature films: the biopic Flamin’ Hot for Searchlight; the workplace comedy 24/7 for Universal Pictures in which she will executive produce and star opposite Kerry Washington; and the female action comedy Spa Day for Sony Pictures.
Committed to empowering Latinas everywhere, Longoria established the Eva Longoria Foundation (ELF) in 2012 to help Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through educational programs, scholarships, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. She is a founding member of Time’s Up and cofounder of Latino Victory Fund, Momento Latino, and Poderistas.
Ganis began his career in marketing and publicity at several studios, including 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Seven Arts, and Warner Bros. He eventually joined Lucasfilm, where he served as SVP and was responsible for marketing The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983) and the first two installments of the Indiana Jones trilogy. In 1986, Ganis joined Paramount Pictures and eventually would become president of the Motion Picture Group, where he helped launch Top Gun (1986) and Fatal Attraction (1987). As president, he oversaw the development and production of the worldwide hit Ghost (1980) and bought the underlying rights to Forrest Gump (1994), which would go on to become one of Paramount’s biggest hits—both financially and critically—of all time. After leaving Paramount in 1990, Ganis became president of marketing and distribution at Columbia Pictures. He was eventually made vice chairman of the studio. In 1996, he stepped down to produce films through his independent production company, Out of the Blue…Entertainment.
Ganis has advised leading US entertainment and technology companies including Dolby Laboratories, Nokia, and The Void and has also served on the boards of Marvel Entertainment, FIND (Film Independent) and, Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive and San Francisco’s SF FILM.
Ganis joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in January 1968 and served as president of the organization for four consecutive terms (2005–2009). He also served as VP of the Academy’s board of governors. A longtime supporter of the Academy Museum, Ganis served as chair of the board of governors’ Museum Committee (2018–2021) and has been integral to securing the future of the Academy Museum.
