#London : The organisers of the Oscars have invited a record number of new people to vote for next year’s awards, following the diversity row that overshadowed this year’s ceremony.It is double the number of people invited from last year, and comes after the academy was criticised for having a lack of diversity among the nominees at this year’s Oscars.
None of the nominees for best actor and actress, or best supporting actor and actress at this year’s awards was from an ethnic minority.
It prompted actor Will Smith and director Spike Lee to boycott the ceremony in February.
The academy had already pledged to double the number of “women and diverse members” by 2020, and added the group of people invited this year include 46% women and 41% “people of colour”.
Among the new entrees are British stars Emma Watson, Kate Beckinsale, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Rylance.
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said the new members represented “the best in our global film community, and who have made a lasting impact on movie fans everywhere”
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.
This class continues our long-term commitment to welcoming extraordinary talent reflective of those working in film today.
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. By Agencies,
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