Elba and Boyega among Academy invites as Oscars bids for more diversity

A record number of new people have been invited to vote for next year’s Oscars following the row over a lack of diversity. Luther star Idris Elba (pictured) and Star Wars actor John Boyega are among 683 people who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. That is more than double the total invited the previous year. None of the nominees for the best actor and actress and best supporting actor and actress categories at this year’s Oscars was from an ethnic minority. This prompted film star Will Smith and director Spike Lee to boycott the ceremony in February.

the best in our global film community, and who have made a lasting impact on movie fans everywhere

Academy president Cheryl Boone

The hashtag OscarSoWhite also became a rallying cry on social media for dissatisfied film stars and fans. The Academy, which has already pledged to double the number of “women and diverse members” by 2020, said the group of people invited to join was 46% women and 41% “people of colour”. Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said the new members represented “the best in our global film community, and who have made a lasting impact on movie fans everywhere”. Emma Watson, Kate Beckinsale, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Rylance, who won the Oscar for best supporting actor this year, are also among the British stars who have been invited to join the Academy.

As a child I’d dream of opportunity 2 express my talent & now I get 2 create opportunity 4 others. Thanks @TheAcademy.

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera

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