Kramer says international membership growth, the Oscars-YouTube deal, and a new festival-qualifying pathway to nomination are all part of the organization’s expanding worldwide ambitions.

‘Shōgun’ star Tadanobu Asano and Junichi Okada led the local celeb turnout, while Academy CEO Bill Kramer repped Hollywood and Japan's prime minister touted plans to boost overseas entertainment sales to $130 billion by 2033.