Russian Filmmaker Invited to Join Oscars Film Academy

The US film academy published its largest and most diverse list of 2016 invitees. The announcement followed recent criticism the Academy faced for not reflecting the diversity of America's population and for white male academicians' domination.

After a January pledge to double its female and minority membership by 2020, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 683 industry professionals to join the nearly 90-year-old organization. Victor Kossakovsky, recognized for his "Vivan las Antipodas!" (2011) and "The Belovs" (1993), was among the academy's new invitees. As the award-winner of numerous national and international film forums, Kossakovsky has played the role of editor, cinematographer, writer and director of his films.

Before the latest edition, the Academy was 75% male and 92% white, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The class of 2016 includes 28 Oscar winners and 98 nominees, who collectively represent 109 nominations. Of the new academicians, 283 are considered international members, representing 59 countries.

Actors Idris Elba, Emma Watson, John Boyega, Eva Mendes, directors Jorge Gutierrez, Julie Dash, musicians O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson, Mary J. Blige, William "will.i.am" Adams, Jim Shultz and other representatives of the film industry, such as costume designers, make-up artists and casting specialists, are on the list of the Academy's newcomers.