“Almost everybody agrees that the Academy has to become more diverse. Even the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences knows this, which is why, in 2013, it announced it would extend its membership quotas in an attempt to bring more women and minorities into the organization.”

German-Palestinian-American filmmaker and martial artist

Lexi Alexander, born Alexandra Mirai, is a German-Palestinian-American filmmaker and martial artist. Active in the 2000s and beyond, she first worked as a stunt performer before moving into directing. She is known for her debut short film, Johnny Flynton, which earned an Academy Award nomination. She later directed Green Street, a crime drama centered on British football hooliganism, and Punisher: War Zone, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics character. Her background in karate-point fighting and kickboxing shaped an unusual path into film, and her work reflects both action training and an interest in physical conflict on screen.