The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations to 529 new members for inclusion in its prestigious Oscars voting body, with the latest list featuring prominent global cinema figures, including six professionals from India. The move further expands the Academy’s international representation as it continues to diversify its membership base ahead of upcoming awards cycles. Among the most notable Indian invitees is filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj, who has been recognised in the music composers’ branch.

Bhardwaj, known for his critically acclaimed work in both filmmaking and music, joins a cohort of influential global artists invited this year as part of the Academy’s ongoing effort to broaden its creative voting body. The Academy’s latest expansion also includes a range of internationally recognised names from the film industry. The invite list features actors such as Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, and Zach Cregger, along with other notable figures from Hollywood and global cinema. If all invitees accept, the Academy’s total membership will rise to 11,319, including 10,338 voting members.

The Indian representation this year extends beyond Bhardwaj, with film editor Deepa Bhatia and acclaimed editor A. Sreekar Prasad also receiving invitations. Their inclusion highlights the Academy’s continued recognition of Indian talent across multiple technical and creative branches of filmmaking, reflecting the country’s growing influence in global cinema. According to the Academy, the newly invited members span a wide range of disciplines across the film industry, including acting, directing, writing, editing, music composition, and production.  The organisation stated that the expansion is aimed at ensuring a more globally representative voting body while maintaining high professional standards in membership selection.

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The overall list includes several internationally known personalities such as actors Josh O’Connor, Simu Liu, Bill Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, and Stephen Fry, alongside filmmakers Josh and Benny Safdie and director Zach Cregger. With this latest round of invitations, the Academy continues its decade-long trend of expanding and diversifying its membership base, a shift that has significantly increased international participation in Oscar voting. The inclusion of Indian professionals once again underscores the country’s growing footprint in global cinema and its increasing presence in major international film institutions.

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