Film Academy Invites 529 New Members, Including Jenna Ortega, the Safdie Brothers and Jacob Elordi

New York: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences welcomed 529 members to its Oscar voting body on Wednesday; this new class nearly doubled the group’s membership compared to a decade earlier.

Among those invited are “One Battle Then Another” nominee Teyana Taylor, Josh O’Connor, Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi and Simu Liu.

If all new members accept their invitations, the film academy will have 11,319 members, with 10,338 voting members. In 2016, the number of members of the academy approached 6,000.

But in recent years, the Oscars organization has grown to diversify its ranks. In 2015, the academy was 75% male and 92% white. That year, all 20 acting nominees were white, giving rise to the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

After this year’s new members take office, the academy will be 64 percent male and 75 percent white. A byproduct of membership expansion has been an increase in the number of international voters. Overseas members now make up 22% of the group.

The new class consists of 42 percent women, 56 percent from underrepresented communities, and 53 percent from countries outside the United States.

“Membership selection is based on professional qualifications, where representation, inclusion and an ongoing commitment to equity are primary,” the academy announcement said. he said.

After several new classes numbering nearly 1,000, the academy has grown at a more modest pace in recent years. Last year, 534 voters were added.

As the academy grew, it added new categories to the annual awards ceremony. The first casting award was handed out earlier this year. In 2028, the first Oscar will be awarded for achievement in stunt design.

Other new members include Anthony Ramos, Bill Skarsgard, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Jemaine Clement, S?o?pe?´ Di’ri´su’ and Stephen Fry. Invited filmmakers include Josh and Benny Safdie, “Weapons” director Zach Cregger and “Sirat” filmmaker Oliver Laxe.

The 99th Academy Awards will be held on March 14, 2027, with Conan O’Brien returning as host for the third consecutive year.