The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has named Nigerian filmmakers, Ramsey Nouah, Andrew Dosunmu and Mo Abudu, among 395 members invited for its 2021 class.
The list, which featured prominent individuals in the movie landscape across 50 countries in the world, was unveiled by the Academy last Thursday.
Abudu was named in the producers category for ‘Òlòturé and ‘The Royal Hibiscus Hotel’, her blockbuster movies released in 2020 and 2017 respectively.
Nouah also made the cut in the actor’s category for his roles in ’76’, a movie released in 2016, and ‘The Figurine’, his 2009 film.
New York-based Dosunmu was listed in the directors’ category for his directorial role in ‘Mother of George’ and ‘Restless City’.
The development further stretches Nigeria’s impressive run on The Academy’s membership list.
Actress Genevieve Nnaji, Akin Omotoso, film director and Cynthia Erivo, Nigerian-born British actress, had made the list in 2020.
Omotola-Jalade Ekeinde and Femi Odugbemi had also been invited as members of the Oscars voting body in 2019.
In her reaction to the development, Abudu, who is the CEO Ebonylife TV, wrote on her official Instagram handle:
“I am pleased and excited to inform you that I have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, popularly known as ‘THE OSCARS’, in the PRODUCER membership category. My producer credits listed by The Academy are OLOTURE and THE ROYAL HIBISCUS HOTEL. It’s such an honour to be included in this category by The Academy. I am proud to be one of 29 Producers from around the world who has received this invitation, and the only Nigerian and African woman in the Producer category. Ladies, we can do anything!
“My thanks and love to the EBONYLIFE team who work so hard to make these things possible. This membership is ours, guys!!
Similarly, speaking on the popular Morning Show programme on Arisetv on Sunday, award-winning actor, Ramsey Nouah, said he was very happy and overwhelmed to be invited to join the voting members for the Oscars. “This is a big deal for me and it simply confirms that gradually we are getting the needed recognition on the global stage.”
