In a decisive move to reshape the electorate behind the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 529 entertainment professionals to join its ranks. The 2026 influx highlights an aggressive, ongoing push by cinema’s most prestigious body to internationalize its membership and champion industry-wide diversity, pulling in a dynamic mix of fresh talent and veteran power players from around the globe.
This year’s roster is a blend of Hollywood’s current cultural vanguard and corporate heavyweights. High-profile actors making the cut include Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, Josh O’Connor, Bill Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor. On the executive front, Disney’s newly appointed CEO, Josh D’Amaro, was also extended an invitation, signaling the Academy’s recognition of shifting corporate leadership.
The selections heavily favor creators who have recently disrupted the cinematic landscape. Notable invitations went to filmmaking brothers Emmy and Josh Safdie, director Zach Cregger, and producer Eli Bush. Also invited was casting director Cassandra Kulukundis, marking a historic moment as she belongs to the newly minted Casting Directors branch. Beyond the screen, the Academy bolstered its ranks across music, public relations, marketing, and awards strategy.
Statistically, the Class of 2026 brings heavy artistic merit, boasting 95 past Oscar nominees, 21 Academy Award winners, and three recipients of the Scientific and Technical Awards.
Unlike standard professional guilds, entry into the Academy cannot be requested through a traditional application. Candidates must either be put forward by the executive committees of specific branches or receive automatic consideration by virtue of an Oscar nomination during the preceding year. Final approval rests with the Academy’s Board of Governors.
The demographic breakdown of the 2026 class underscores a deliberate pivot toward a more inclusive future. Women make up 42% of the new invitees, and 56% come from historically underrepresented ethnic and racial communities. Crucially, 53% of the invitees are based outside the United States, representing 60 different countries and territories—a clear indicator of the Oscars’ increasingly globalized perspective.
Should all invitees accept, the Academy’s total membership will climb past 11,000, pushing the number of active, voting members over the 10,000 mark. Furthermore, nine individuals were invited by multiple branches, reflecting the multi-hyphenate nature of modern filmmakers who refuse to be confined to a single discipline.
Industry insiders view this latest cohort as a reflection of a contemporary, fragmented, and boundary-pushing Hollywood. By decentralizing its traditional American core, the Academy is positioning itself to better validate international narratives and non-traditional cinematic formats.
In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang lauded the new class, noting that their profound contributions and undeniable passion for storytelling make them invaluable additions to the global Oscar community.
With this latest expansion, the Academy continues its steady institutional evolution, adapting to the cultural and artistic tides rewriting the rules of global cinema to ensure its voting body mirrors the diverse future of the medium.
