Overview
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended 529 invitations to new members on June 24, 2026, which would raise total membership to 11,319 and voting membership to 10,338 if all accept.
- The 2026 invite class is 42% women, 56% from underrepresented communities and 53% from countries outside the United States, reflecting the Academy’s sustained post-2015 push to diversify and internationalize its ranks.
- High-profile invitees named across coverage include actors Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Simu Liu and Jon Bernthal, executives such as Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, and Indian film professionals including Vishal Bhardwaj, A. Sreekar Prasad and Eka Lakhani.
- Membership is by sponsorship rather than open application, Oscar nominees are automatically considered in their nomination year, and nine people were offered invitations from multiple Academy branches and must choose one if they accept.
- The expansion has steadily changed the makeup of Oscar voters since 2015 and could alter voting outcomes and recognition for international films and newer categories such as casting and the planned stunt design award.