Women and people of color highlighted in largest group of new film Academy members
It’s the organization's first step after pledging to add more diverse voters by 2020.
As part of its efforts to create more diversity in Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (better known as “the Academy,” the folks who bring you the Oscars) announced a new class of members that’s larger and more diverse than ever.
These additions are the Academy’s first step in reshaping its membership; the organization promised back in January to double its female and minority voters by 2020.
The pledge came in the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy this year, which called out the Academy for failing to nominate any minority actors in the lead and supporting categories for the second year in a row. Many people in Hollywood, including Oscar nominees, spoke out about the issue, and the controversy provided the centerpiece fodder in host Chris Rock’s opening monologue at the Oscars.
Now, the Academy has invited 683 new members to join its voter pool. They include Idris Elba (Beast of No Nation), Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Brie Larson (Room), and Emma Watson (Harry Potter franchise, The Perks of Being a Wallflower).
At the beginning of this year, the Academy’s 6,262 voters were 8 percent non-white and 25 percent female. If these invitees join, those percentages will climb to 11 percent and 27 percent, respectively.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com