Film Academy Invites 487 New Members for 2024, Including Lily Gladstone and S.S. Rajamouli

Actors Lily Gladstone, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Catherine O’Hara, alongside filmmakers Cord Jefferson, Boots Riley, and director S.S. Rajamouli, are among the 487 distinguished artists and professionals invited to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year, as announced by the Academy on Tuesday.

In a move aimed at diversifying its voting body, the Academy's invitations span across various categories including actors, directors, costume designers, publicists, and executives. If accepted, these new members will contribute to the voting process for the upcoming Oscars.

The Academy's latest invitees boast an impressive lineup: 19 of them are Oscar-winners, such as Mstyslav Chernov for best documentary ("20 Days in Mariupol") and Justine Triet for "Anatomy of a Fall," alongside 71 nominees including Sandra Hüller and Danielle Brooks from "The Color Purple." Directors like Celine Song and production designers such as Ruth De Jong also headline the list.

Notably, some invitees, like Cord Jefferson, have been offered membership across multiple branches, requiring them to choose a primary affiliation within the Academy. This decision also applies to filmmakers Justine Triet and Celine Song, adding a strategic element to their Academy involvement.

Commenting on the new inductees, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed excitement, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of new members to the academy. These remarkably talented artists and professionals from around the world have made a significant impact on our filmmaking community."

The 2024 class, if fully accepted, would bolster the Academy's voting membership to 9,934 members, reflecting a makeup that aims for 35% women, 20% representation from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities, and 20% international diversity.

Why This Matters: The inclusion of diverse voices aims to broaden the perspectives shaping film industry recognition. New members will influence Oscar voting, potentially impacting future nominees and winners and with international representation, the Academy expands its global footprint in film recognition.

Key Takeaways:

• 487 new members invited to join the Academy.
• Diversity goals: 35% women, 20% underrepresented ethnic and racial communities, 20% international.
• Notable invitees include Lily Gladstone, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and S.S. Rajamouli.
• Strategic decisions for multi-branch invitees like Cord Jefferson and Justine Triet.
• Impact on Oscars voting and industry diversity initiatives.