Spirit Awards: Actors (and a producer) talk Oscar diversity The entertainment world's spotlight Saturday is on the Film Independent Spirit Awards, but plenty of its attendees have their minds on Sunday's big show, the Oscars -- a ceremony where the winners, as a Times study recently revealed, are mostly determined by white men. At the Spirit Awards, nominees and presenters told 24 Frames what they think about the makeup of the motion picture academy. Presenter Anthony Mackie: "I became a member this past year. I think the academy has made a concerted effort to bring more young actors in and more artists in to bring a younger pool of voters. I hope so. "The Artist" actor James Cromwell: "It's really nice when the media tells the truth about something so that people can therefore put this in perspective and understand, 'Oh, it's not really a contest for the best film -- it's all a business deal made in back rooms.' And we are the Westminster dogs, and somebody else makes a lot of money. "A Better Life" actor Demian Bechir: "Not only in the academy -- everywhere, in every aspect of our daily lives [things should be more diverse]. We need a little more of everything. We all need to be included. "Pariah" producer Nekisa Cooper: "I think if the academy would reflect the population, you would have a more diverse representation at the Oscars. Films like 'Pariah,' films like 'Red Tails,' films like 'The Help' help show that there is a desire for them. "Pariah" star Adepero Oduye: "I personally think it should be more diverse. I think all kinds of people watch film. And there should be more of a cross-section. We all watch movies and we all have opinions and our voices matter. Emily Rome and Amy Kaufman Photo: Anthony Mackie at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images