The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations to 529 film industry professionals to join its membership for the 2026 class, with actors Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega, Teyana Taylor, and Jon Bernthal among the notable names selected.
Diverse and Global Invitee Pool
According to Variety, the latest group includes 95 Oscar nominees, 21 Oscar winners, and three recipients of Scientific and Technical Awards. The Academy stated that the new class reflects its ongoing efforts to broaden representation across the organization and the wider film industry. The Academy reported that 42% of invitees are women, 56% are from underrepresented communities, and 53% come from 60 countries and territories outside the United States. If all invitees accept membership, the organization will grow to 11,319 members, including 10,338 voting members.
Notable Invitees and Industry Leaders
Among the actors invited are Jacob Elordi, recognized for projects including Saltburn and Frankenstein; Jenna Ortega, known for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Death of a Unicorn; and Teyana Taylor, whose recent screen work has continued to earn industry attention. Other acting invitees include Julia Garner, Josh O’Connor, Simu Liu, Paddy Considine, Bill Skarsgård, and Stephen Fry. The list also features directors Zach Cregger, Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, and Fernanda Valadez, alongside executives including Disney chief executive Josh D’Amaro.
Academy Leadership Statement
“We are delighted to invite this remarkable group of film artists and professionals from around the world to join the Academy,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement. “Through their commitment to filmmaking, this year’s exceptionally talented class has made significant contributions to our global movie industry.”
Continued Diversity Efforts
Variety noted that the Academy’s diversity efforts continue to expand following reforms introduced in the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite movement. The organization said membership remains based on sponsorship and review rather than application, with Oscar nominees automatically considered in the year of their nomination. Only invitees who formally accept the invitation will become Academy members and gain voting rights for future Academy Awards.
