THE president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts says she would like to see more diversity in Oscar nominations, after a row about this year’s nominees.

    All 20 contenders in the main acting categories are white and there are no female nominees in the directing or writing categories.

    The Academy, which picks the contenders, has faced strong criticism.

    But Cheryl Boone Isaacs said she was proud of the nominees and that the body was “making strides” toward diversity.

    Isaacs, who is the first African-American president of the Academy, told AP the organization is “committed to seeking out diversity of voice and opinion.’’

    After the nominees were announced, people mocked the make-up of the awards by using the “OscarsSoWhite” hashtag.

    There has been much focus on Martin Luther King biopic “Selma,” with director Ava DuVernay and star David Oyelowo both missing out.

    At the Critics’ Choice award, another “Selma” actor, Wendell Pierce, said there would be “amazement” Oyelowo was not nominated once people saw the film.

    But Isaacs said acclaim for “Selma” was reflected in its best picture nomination, which is chosen by all the academy members.

    She said that while the Academy continued to make efforts to become more diverse, the wider industry needed to do the same.

    “We hope the film industry will also make strides toward becoming more diverse and inclusive.’’

    Individual branches of the Academy choose the nominees, with actors choosing the acting categories, for example.(SD-Agencies)