The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sent invitations to 534 individuals this week, including stars like Ariana Grande and Jason Momoa, offering them a chance to become Oscar voters for the upcoming 2025 ceremony. The new wave of invitees, selected for their recent successes and contributions, reflects the Academy’s ongoing efforts to broaden its voting body by embracing both emerging and established talent.
The annual invitation tradition typically sees many nominees and winners from the previous year included on the list, a pattern that continues this year with notable additions such as Best Supporting Actor winner Kieran Culkin and Best Actress winner Mikey Madison. Jason Momoa, known for roles like ‘Dune’ and ‘Aquaman,’ stands out among the celebrities gaining entry, highlighting the continued interest and influence of blockbusters within the Academy.
Who Is Being Invited? Spotlight on Actors, Filmmakers, and Behind-the-Scenes Talents
This year’s roster spans the full spectrum of the film industry—from celebrated actors to acclaimed writers, directors, and technical artists. Ariana Grande, recognized for her role in “Wicked” and previous success in “Don’t Look Up,” joins the list alongside Dave Bautista, known for “Dune: Part Two” and
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,”
and Naomi Ackie, celebrated for performances in “Mickey 17” and
“Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
The acting branch features names like Gillian Anderson of “The Last King of Scotland,” Jodie Comer of “The Bikeriders,” Ayushmann Khurrana of “Andhadhun,” and Kamal Haasan of “Vikram.” Jason Momoa invited to Academy 2025 marks a significant inclusion for stars of epic science fiction and superhero movies. The recognition of such box-office powerhouses indicates the Academy’s awareness of mainstream impact on global cinema.
Beyond actors, filmmakers are making the list in multiple creative capacities, such as Coralie Fargeat of “The Substance” and Brady Corbet of “The Brutalist,” both recognized as writers and directors. The inclusion requires each dual-discipline filmmaker to select which branch they will join, underscoring the multidisciplinary nature of today’s film industry.
Diverse Branches Represented: From Directors and Cinematographers to Executives and Publicists
In directing, nominations span global auteurs like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw The TV Glow”), Bi Gan (“Long Day’s Journey into Night”), and Mike Flanagan (“Doctor Sleep”), reflecting international reach and genre diversity. Documentarians Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor, co-creators of the lauded “No Other Land,” are also being welcomed—an inclusion that follows industry scrutiny over the Academy’s prior handling of award winners facing personal crises.
Behind the scenes, animation professionals such as Sandra Andersen (“Wolfwalkers”) and Richard Beek (
“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”
) join celebrated costumers like Sergio Ballo (“The Return”) and Bunmi Ademilola Fashina (“Mami Wata”). The additions extend through technical, business, and creative fields, with new memberships offered to cinematographers like Rachel Aoun (“Farha”), sound experts like Niels Barletta (“Emilia Pérez”), and major publicists and marketing strategists, reinforcing the collaborative spirit at Hollywood’s core.
The full range of category additions affirms the Academy’s sweeping reach, inviting key contributors in makeup and hair, music, production design, film editing, and even the often-invisible spheres of production technology and artist representation. Among the executives welcomed this year are Ravi Ahuja, Daniel Thomas Cohen, Nancy Lefkowitz, and Derval Whelan, demonstrating the blend of artistic and business acumen sought for balanced Oscar considerations.
Notable Names from Around the World Join the Academy
International representation is robust in this year’s list, including filmmakers from a diverse geographical array. Soudade Kaadan, acclaimed for
“The Day I Lost My Shadow,”
joins directors such as Mong-Hong Chung (“A Sun”) and Kamila Andini (“Yuni”). Documentary and short film creators such as Smriti Mundhra (“St. Louis Superman”) and Lea Glob (“Apolonia, Apolonia”) add further global depth to the Academy’s expanding roster.
Key producers joining include Chris Bender (“Under the Silver Lake”), Juliette Howell (“Conclave”), and Myriam Sassine (“Costa Brava, Lebanon”). Costume designers like Maxima Basu (“All We Imagine as Light”) continue to break ground for industry professionals from India and beyond. The technical fields include visual effects artists like Ravi Bansal (“Nyad”) and music composers such as Branford Marsalis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Isobel Waller-Bridge (“Magpie”).
Among casting directors, the likes of María Laura Berch (“Society of the Snow”) and Courtney Bright (“Priscilla”) are recognized for their skill in assembling impactful ensembles, further exemplifying the Academy’s holistic appreciation of every cinematic discipline.
Recent Oscars Winners and Nominees Among the 2025 Invitees
The Academy’s invitation list seems to pay homage to recent Oscars victors. Notably, Kieran Culkin and Mikey Madison, both recent award recipients, have been invited, signaling the body’s practice of honoring contemporaneous achievement. Documentary filmmaking remains prominent, with all four “No Other Land” collaborators—Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor—earning invitations not just for their artistic work, but also as a gesture acknowledging the challenges faced by laureates beyond the ceremony stage.
This trend is mirrored in branches including editing, where professionals like Jonathan Alberts (“All of Us Strangers”) and Kelley Dixon (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) have been recognized, and writing, with names such as Lena Waithe (“Beauty”) and Ti West (“Pearl”) among those tapped. The musicians’ list includes award-winning composers and up-and-coming talent, exemplifying the Academy’s efforts to stay relevant to contemporary trends while fulfilling its historical mission.
A Glimpse at the Process and Expanding Membership
Upon accepting their invitation, recipients become part of the Academy’s voting body, influencing nominations and winners in their categories for the Oscars in 2025 and beyond. While official membership numbers remain private, estimates suggest around 10,000 professionals currently participate in the voting process. The expansion aims to infuse new energy and perspectives into the Academy, combatting critiques about lack of diversity and ensuring that Oscar outcomes reflect not just tradition, but the breadth and vibrancy of global filmmaking today.
This year’s large class reflects an ongoing commitment to balancing established voices with fresh perspectives. The selection of blockbuster names like Jason Momoa, musical icons like Ariana Grande, and artists excelling in international and independent cinema, mirrors the Academy’s drive to embrace the full spectrum of cinematic achievement. People like Cynthia López, Gabriel Mascaro, Bill Perkins, and many others from the list each represent unique contributions across Hollywood and worldwide.
What This Means for Future Oscar Ceremonies
The influx of new members brings with it potential for change in Oscar nominations and outcomes, as a broader cross-section of the film community is empowered to vote. This expansion could influence future recognition for genres, styles, and talents that previously struggled for attention. With industry figures such as producers Habib Attia and directors Elia Suleiman now part of the conversation, the path from global cinemas to the Oscars stage is more open than ever.
This evolving membership structure is a step towards a more representative Academy, with the 2025 ballot expected to show the impact of these new voices. The addition of stars like Jason Momoa underscores the significance of blockbusters and fan-favorite franchises during award season, while the presence of groundbreaking documentarians, costume designers, and technical experts ensures that innovation and excellence at every level will continue to shape cinema’s highest honors.
