Academyโ Welcomes 534 New members, Continuing Push for Diversityโค and Depiction
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended invitations to 534 new membersโค in June, signaling ongoing efforts to diversify its ranks and reflect a broader range of filmmaking talent.โข this year’sโฃ invitees represent 50 countriesโฃ and 53% identify as women, 44% as people of color, and 9% as LGBTQ+. The Academyโ aims to achieve greater inclusivity within its โmembership, influencing the future of the Oscars โand the film industry as a whole.
The โAcademy’s membership isโ organized by branch-actors, directors, writers, cinematographers,โ and so on-withโค each branch responsible forโ nominating candidates in their โขrespective categories for Academy โคAwards consideration. This latest class brings the total number of Academy members to 10,890, and โthe continued focus on diversity is intended to ensure a wider range of perspectives are represented in the voting process. Academy CEO Bill โKramer and Academy President Janet jointly stated, “We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy. Through their commitment to filmmaking and toโข the greater movie industry, these โฃexceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions toโ our global filmmaking community.”
Among those invited this year areโค Fernanda Torres, Gillian Anderson, Dave Bautista, Rachel โคBrosnahan, Danielle Deadwyler, Stephen Graham, and Jason momoa. Theโ Academy has undertaken severalโ initiatives in recent years to increase diversity,โข including expanding outreach to underrepresented communities and revising its โmembership criteria. These efforts followโฃ years โฃof criticism regarding the lack of diversity amongโค Academy members and nominees, culminating in the #OscarsSoWhite campaign.
The composition of the Academy’s membership directly impacts the films and artists recognized during awardsโ season. A more diverseโข membership is expected to lead to a more inclusive and representative selection ofโ nomineesโ and โwinners, potentially shifting the landscape of cinematic recognition. The Academy’s ongoingโ commitment to diversifying its membership is a key step towards ensuring the Oscars remainโข relevant and reflective of the global filmmaking community.
