The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences, has released its list of new members, with 819 invitees, including Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, Nigerian film director Akin Omotoso (“Tell Me Sweet Something“), and Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet“).
In 2018, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Femi Odugbemi and Simon Onwurah became members of The Academy.
In an effort to make its members more diverse, if all 819 invitees accept their invitations, 45% of the new members will be women and 36% are people of colour. International make-up is 49% from 68 countries.
“The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travellers in the motion picture arts and sciences. We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich variety of our global film community, and never more so than now,” said Academy president David Rubin said in a statement.
Next on the Academy’s agenda is Aperture 2025 to advance inclusion and representation in membership and the film community.
“We take great pride in the strides we have made in exceeding our initial inclusion goals set back in 2016, but acknowledge the road ahead is a long one. We are committed to staying the course. I cannot give enough thanks to all our members and staff who worked on the A2020 initiative and to our head of Member Relations and Awards, Lorenza Muñoz, for her leadership and passion in guiding us through to this point and helping to set the path going forward. We look forward to continuing to foster an Academy that reflects the world around us in our membership, our programs, our new Museum, and in our awards,” Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement.
Text excluding title courtesy Bellanaija
