June 29, (THEWILL) – Kunle Afolayan, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Shola Dada are among the five Nigerians invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) class of 2023, making them voting Oscars members.
AMPAS revealed that 398 artists and entertainment executives were invited to join the Oscar-dispensing group.
Other Nigerians, who made the list are C.J Obasi and Jade Osiberu.
The Academy said the new members were invited based on professionalism, commitment to representation, inclusion and equity
Of the 2023 invitees, 34% belong to an under-represented racial or ethnic community, while 40% identify as women. 52% are also from 50 countries and territories outside the United States.
“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines, and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” said Bill Kramer, the Academy’s CEO.
This brings the total number of overall Academy members to 10,817, up from 10,665 in 2022, with 9,375 eligible to vote for the next Oscars due to deaths and retirements among others.
The 96th Oscars ceremony is set to take place on March 10, 2024.
Ramsey Nouah and Mo Abudu were among the 395 invitees for the AMPAS class of 2021, while Genevieve Nnaji, Akin Omotoso, and Cynthia Erivo, Nigerian-born British actress, were invited to join the Academy in 2020.
