Nollywood powerhouses, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Afolayan, Jade Osiberu and C.J. Obasi have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) class of 2023 as voting Oscars members.
AMPAS revealed that 398 artistes and entertainment executives were invited to join the Oscar-dispensing group.
According to the Academy, the new members were invited based on professionalism, commitment to representation, inclusion and equity.
“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,” the Academy’s Chief Executive Officer, Bill Kramer said.
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.
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 scheduled to take place on March 10, 2024.
Actor-cum-filmmaker, Ramsey Nouah and EbonyLife CEO, Mo Abudu, were among the 395 invitees for the AMPAS class of 2021, while Genevieve Nnaji, Akin Omotoso, and Nigerian-born British actress, Cynthia Erivo, were invited to join the Academy in 2020.
