John David Washington, Zendaya And More Invited To Join Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences

John David Washington, Zendaya, Cynthia Erivo, and more have been invited to join the film academy.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 819 people to be a part of the film academy, which works as an organization to vote on the films we see in the Oscars each year.

On the long list of 2020 invitees are Awkwafina, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, Constance Wu, Lulu Wang, Ari Aster, and more. It also includes new Oscar winners, like Parasite actors Jang Hye Jin, JoYeo Jeong, Park So Dam, and Lee Jung Eun. Forty-nine percent of the people invited represent about 68 countries. Screenwriter Ryan Murphy and country singer Tim McGraw are also on the list. Academy president David Rubin said the organization is “delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travelers in the motion picture arts and sciences.”

It’s a long-time coming for the Oscars, which is just now being proactive about fixing its lack of diversity and history of discrimination. ABC News reports that the academy made a promise in 2016 to double its female and non-white membership by 2020. Of the new list of invitees, 45 percent are women, and 36 percent are people of color. In addition, the academy announced its five-year plan that includes new inclusion standards for nominees.

“We look forward to continuing to foster an Academy that reflects the world around us in our membership, our programs, our new Museum, and in our awards,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson in a statement. This will also be the first year that talent agent members will be able to vote on the awards, according to ABC News. The 93rd Academy Awards will take place on April 25, 2021.