Oscars less white: 683 new members join the panel
The Academy Awards has made good on its promise to bolster diversity allowing 683 new members into the fold, following the last few years' 'Oscars so white' campaign for perceived racism and sexist accusations at the organisation.
Academy Awards
Of this influx, 46 per cent are female and 41 per cent hail from ethnic minorities, also including 28 Oscar winners. The new group goes some way toward rebalancing the current 6,000 or so members, the majority of whom are 60+ white males.
As a result of the additions, male membership drops from 75 per cent to 73 per cent, with white members dropping from 92 per cent to 89 per cent.
Among the members are Idris Elba, John Boyega, Ice Cube, Emma Watson and Kate Beckinsale.
Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy president, said: “We're proud to welcome these new members to the academy and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission and not just a membership.
“This class continues our long-term commitment to welcoming extraordinary talent reflective of those working in film today.
She concluded: “We encourage the larger creative community to open its doors wider, and create opportunities for anyone interested in working in this incredible and storied industry”