Five Nigerian talents from the renowned Nollywood film industry have been chosen as members of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This esteemed institution is globally recognized for organizing the renowned Academy Awards, fondly known as “The Oscars.”
Richard Mofe-Damijo, a veteran actor, CJ Obasi, a director, Jade Osiberu, a producer, and writers Kunle Afolayan and Shola Dada have been handpicked for their exceptional contributions to the world of cinema. As Academy members, they will now have the privilege of participating in the voting process for the nominations and winners of The Oscars.
Honoured to be a member of @TheAcademy Grateful to the Academy and Member colleagues from the Directors Branch for the invitation. Vive le cinéma! pic.twitter.com/Gb5f0uOleM
— C.J. “Fiery” Obasi (@FieryCJ) June 29, 2023
Expressing their delight, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang stated, “The Academy is honored to embrace these talented artists and professionals into our esteemed membership. They embody exceptional global talent across various cinematic disciplines and have made significant contributions to the art and science of motion pictures, leaving a profound impact on movie enthusiasts worldwide.”
In the past, the Academy faced criticism for its lack of diversity. A 2012 study by the Los Angeles Times revealed that 94% of Oscar voters were of white ethnicity. However, in recent years, the Academy has made efforts to address this issue, spurred in part by the #OscarsSoWhite movement.
