Additional Coverage:
- Film academy invites 529 new members, including Jenna Ortega, the Safdie brothers and Jacob Elordi (nbcnews.com)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the invitation of 529 new members to join its Oscar voting body, significantly expanding its ranks. This latest class brings the total membership to approximately 11,319, with 10,338 eligible voters-nearly double the size from a decade ago, when the academy had about 6,000 members.
The diverse group of invitees includes notable figures such as “One Battle After Another” nominee Teyana Taylor, Josh O’Connor, Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, and Simu Liu. The academy emphasized that membership selection continues to prioritize professional qualifications alongside a strong commitment to representation, inclusion, and equity.
This expansion reflects the academy’s ongoing efforts to diversify its membership. In 2015, the organization was 75% male and 92% white, with all 20 acting nominees that year being white-a situation that sparked the #OscarsSoWhite movement. With the new additions, the academy’s composition now stands at 64% male and 75% white, and international members have grown to represent 22% of the total.
Among the new members, 42% are women, 56% come from underrepresented communities, and 53% hail from countries outside the United States. The recent growth has been more measured compared to previous years when the academy added nearly 1,000 members per cycle. Last year, 534 new voters joined the ranks.
In addition to expanding its membership, the academy has introduced new award categories. Earlier this year marked the first presentation of an Oscar for casting, and in 2028, the academy will present its inaugural award for achievement in stunt design.
Other notable additions to this year’s class include Anthony Ramos, Bill Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Jemaine Clement, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, and Stephen Fry. Filmmakers Josh and Benny Safdie, Zach Cregger (“Weapons”), and Oliver Laxe (“Sirât”) are also among those invited.
Looking ahead, the 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14, 2027, with Conan O’Brien set to return as host for a third consecutive year.