Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke.
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That means the Academy sent out 683 new invitations – more than doubling the previous record of invites sent in one year.
Under new membership rules, the academy has stripped some older members of voting privileges in a move aimed at diversification.
The new members will also include “Star Wars” actor John Boyega, Idris Elba and last year’s best actress victor Brie Larson.
The other 7 members with an African background are Chadian director Mahamat Saleh Haroun, Liberian director Cheryl Dunye, Tunisian cinematographer Sofian El Fani, Tunisian-French actor, director Abdellatif Kechiche, British-Nigerian actor John Boyega, Amma Asante and Idris Elba. Of the new members, 283 are listed as worldwide members, representing 59 countries; 46 percent are female, 41 percent are ethnic minorities.
Members of the new class are 41% people of color and 46% female, according to an infographic the organization released Wednesday.
Members of the Academy were at the centre of controversy when African-Americans notably failed to grab nominations in the four major Oscars categories, prompting anger in the Hollywood community over the lack of diversity in the movie industry.
If all 683 invited professionals join, the academy would have 7,789 members, it added.
The largely white, male and older roster of film industry professionals who belong to the academy has always been cited as a barrier to racial and gender equality at the Oscars.
The fall-out led to actress Jada Pinkett-Smith and filmmaker Spike Lee both boycotting the ceremony, and #OscarsSoWhite trending online.
She said the academy has worked for several years to diversify its largely white, male membership. Among the names are numerous high-profile women and people or color.
From the acting class, the new members include Mahershala Ali, Chadwick Boseman, Rose Byrne, Enrique Castillo, Morris Chestnut, Vivica A. Fox, Oscar Isaac, Ryan Coogler, Dennis Haysbert, O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, Gabrielle Union, Damon Wayans Jr. and Emma Watson.
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“Welcoming extraordinary talent reflective of those working in film today”.
