The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled its annual membership invitation process, extending invitations to 398 distinguished artists and executives who have made remarkable contributions to the world of motion pictures.
This year’s list showcases a diverse array of professionals from various disciplines within the film industry, including actors, directors, writers, producers, musicians, executives, and more.
The 2023 invitee class stands out with 40% of its members being women and 34% belonging to underrepresented ethnic and racial communities. Moreover, 52% of the invitees hail from 51 countries and territories outside the United States.
Notably, several branches, including casting directors, costume designers, makeup artists and hairstylists, and marketing and public relations, have invited more women than men. The Actors and Directors branches have also welcomed a substantial number of candidates from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their pride in welcoming these exceptional talents and professionals into the prestigious membership. They acknowledged the significant impact these individuals have had on the arts, sciences, and movie enthusiasts worldwide.
Also, read;Â Chinese Tea Drinkers Embrace African Coffee Thanks To Millennials
Among the notable invitees this year are veteran Nigerian actor Richard Eyimofe Evans Mofe-Damijo, also known as RMD, who has made his mark in the Nigerian film industry and served as a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State.
Jadesola Osiberu, a renowned Nigerian writer, director, and producer, and the founder of Greoh Studios, has also received an invitation. Osiberu is known for her notable works such as “Isoken” (2017), “Sugar Rush” (2019), “Brotherhood” (2022), and “Gangs of Lagos,” the first Nigerian original film exclusively streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Additionally, Nigerian writers Shola Dada and Kunle Afolayan, as well as director C.J. “Fiery” Obasi, have been recognized for their remarkable contributions to the industry and have been included among the invitees.
If all the individuals accept their membership, the total number of Academy members, including Emeritus, would reach 10,817, with voting members totaling 9,375. The Oscars continue to strive for inclusivity and recognition of talent from diverse backgrounds, amplifying voices from around the world.