The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to a record 683 artists and executives, including Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke.
To enhance its gender and racial diversity, the Academy invited 283 new members from 59 countries and regions. For the Chinese industry, directors Jia Zhangke, Wang Bing and Hou Hsiao-Hsien as well as cinematographers Poon Hang-Sang, Peter Pau and Zhao Fei were on the member list.
"I am honored to extend membership invitations to 683 distinguished filmmakers, artists and executives who represent the best in our global film community, and who have made a lasting impact on movie fans everywhere," Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said. "We're proud to welcome these new members to the Academy, and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission and not just a membership."
"We encourage the larger creative community to open its doors wider, and create opportunities for anyone interested in working in this incredible and storied industry," he added.
Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2016.
The new members will also include "Star Wars" actor John Boyega, Idris Elba and last year's best actress winner Brie Larson. Also invited are Kate Beckinsale, "Creed" director Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan and Emma Watson. The academy says its invitees are 46 percent female, 41 percent minority and represent 59 countries.
The Academy membership, with the new class included, is now 27 percent female and 11 percent persons of color. Before the announcement of the new class, it was 25 percent female and eight percent persons of color. The diversity push was in response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy earlier this year as all-white acting nominees made people aware of the Academy's largely white and male membership.
