#OscarsSoWhite: Despite rule change by Academy, Spike Lee to boycott Oscars

Filmmaker Spike Lee has welcomed proposed changes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences but said he will stand by his decision to boycott next month's Oscars over lack of diversity.

The 58-year-old filmmaker has praised the Academy's decision to ramp up efforts to double its membership of women and minorities following the controversy over the lack of inclusion in this year's nominations.

In a new interview from IMDb's Sundance Studio, he said, "They had to do something, it was a firestorm of protest. And I want to thank (Academy) President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the Board of Governors, for doing the right thing. (But) I'm not showing up. My wife and I, we made the decision, we're not going to change our decision... We took a moral stance, and we're not going to do a punk move and go back on our word," Lee said.