Film academy invites 683 new members to join
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Six months after announcing intentions to double the number of female and minority members in its ranks by 2020, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 683 new members to join the organization.
Other potential new members helping to increase the academy's diversity include Chinese cinematographer Zhao Fei, Japanese production designer Yohei Taneda, Mexican director Patricia Riggen and musicians such as Fitzgerald Diggs, who's better known RZA from Wu Tang Clan.
The academy announced sweeping changes to its recruitment and voting practices in January after a second straight year of all-white acting nominees for the Academy Awards.
Just as moviegoers and Oscar watchers are demanding more diversity on screen, Dern says the academy is seeking to be more inclusive and expansive in its search for excellence.