Of the 20 acting nominees this year, seven represent people of color: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Ruth Negga, Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali and Dev Patel.
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There are also diverse nominees for behind-the-camera work, including film editor Joi McMillon and writer/director Barry Jenkins - both for "Moonlight."
Cheryl Boone-Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said there were many films released this year that represented diverse communities.
"This year, we were able to experience a really great bounty of wonderfulness. So it's great for us today to be able to celebrate it," she said.
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Actor Edward James Olmos was among those who were pleased to see more diversity in films this year.
"It really says a lot to all of us to be inclusive. And that's what the arts are. So i think I think they've done a wonderful job. There's some great films this year and there's a lot of diversity."
The academy added 683 new members this year - many of them women and people of color - and that represents about 10 percent of its entire membership.