Academy invites 683 new members to boost diversity

On Wednesday, June 29, 2016, the Academy invited 683 new members, with 46% being female and 41% people of color.

Before the announcement of the new class, the Academy had 25% female and 8% people of color.

The slight change comes after the that led to the likes of Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith boycotting the 2016 Academy Awards.

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Following the 2016 backlash, the Academy voted undefined with a goal of doubling the diverse membership by 2020.

The new members include “Star Wars” actor John Boyega,Idris Elba, Brie Larson, Kate Beckinsale, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Gabrielle Union, Emma Watson, Anthony Anderson, Chadwick Boseman, Carmen Ejogo, Greta Gerwig, Regina King, Tom Hiddleston, Rachel McAdams, Patti LuPone, Anika Noni Rose, Nate Parker, Alicia Vikander and Mark Rylance.

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“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,”Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy president, said.

283 new international members were also invited from 59 countries.

In response to criticisms that its members are too old, the Academy also invited younger filmmakers, with 24-year-old Boyega as the youngest.

Before last year, the number of new invitees sent out in 2014 was 271, 276 in 2013, 176 in 2012 and 178 in 2011.