With the annual Oscar awards next week, Hollywood is in the limelight again, so is its diversity problem  goes even deeper this time. 

This year, the Academy is not being blamed for #OscarsSoWhite and #OscarsSoMale  but accused for not paying enough attention to older actors.

A study conducted by University of Southern California and Humana Inc. found that only 11.8 percent of 1,256 characters are 60 years of age or older, among the 25 movies that received Best Picture nominations in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

And the only two main characters over the age of 60 years nominated for Hollywood's most prestigious award for the past three years is the same person, Michael Keaton, whose roles were nominated in “Birdman” and “Spotlight." 

The UCS study, which analyzed films that featured a leading or supporting aging character, were riddled with ageist comments, which Stacy L. Smith, one of the co-authors of the research, says “has failed to recognize the value of senior voices on screen.” 

The number of nominations with senior female characters in particular also appears to be declining. 

Some however have questioned the standard of the age range in the study, as Denzel Washington’s character in “Fences” is in his early fifties, while the actor himself is 62 years old.

Despite the data, young or old, actors continue to deliver memorable performances. Isabelle Huppert, who is 63, excelled as a successful businesswoman in “Elle," an emotionally complex and thrilling Oscar nominee.

After repeated years of Oscar controversies highlighting diversity problems in the film industry, this year seemed to be free from any allegations. But not really. However, whoever might win,regardless of age, gender or race,it should be noted that proper representation and opportunities for a more diverse group of people should be more important than winning an award on Oscar night.