According to a press release, 46 percent of the invitees are female and 41 percent are minorities, and they represent 59 countries. Idris Elba, Chadwick Boseman, Eva Mendes, America Ferrera and Anika Noni Rose are among those invited. Boyega would be the youngest member at 24 years old.
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At the most recent, 88th Academy Awards in February, all the nominees were white for the second year in a row, sparking an outcry. The film and TV industry was already under scrutiny for its lack of diversity after the American Civil Liberties Union urged USA and California civil-rights agencies to investigate alleged bias against women. Last year, only 322 invitees were announced, and in 2014 only 271 were invited.
But April Reign, the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag that has become shorthand for Hollywood’s issues with diversity, said that while the more diverse class of 2016 “seems impressive on first glance” she still has concerns.
For the director’s branch, new members include Creed director Ryan Coogler and Beasts of No Nation director Cary Joji Fukunaga and Room director Lenny Abrahamson and Belle director Amma Assante.
Before it’s here, it’s on the Bloomberg Terminal.
In March, three new members were added to its board of governors, and six minority members were appointed to other leadership positions. So Oscar voters are still 89% white and 75% male. Her film was chosen as the Swiss entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards in 2013.
That means there are only 2% more women and 3% more people of color in the Academy. Boone Isaacs said earlier this year that the Academy wanted to double the amount of female and minority members by the year 2020.
Emma Watson, Kate Beckinsale, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Rylance, who won the Oscar for best supporting actor this year, are also among the British stars who have been invited to join the Academy.
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“This class continues our long-term commitment to welcoming extraordinary talent reflective of those working in film today”.
