Academy invites – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 529 new film industry professionals to join the Oscars’ voting body and participate in its work, including Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor and other major stars. The 2026 membership expansion would bring
By the time the new class was named, the invitation already carried weight: people who receive Academy membership can vote on the Oscars and take part in the organization’s events, committees and initiatives.
On June 24, the Academy invited 529 film artists and industry professionals to join its ranks for the 2026 class. The list includes boldface names such as Jacob Elordi, Julia Garner, Simu Liu, Jenna Ortega and Teyana Taylor. The group also features actors and filmmakers who were not only recognized this awards season. but now step into the decision-making machinery behind the Oscars.
“We are delighted to invite this remarkable group of film artists and professionals from around the world to join the Academy. ” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a statement June 24. “Through their commitment to filmmaking, this year’s exceptionally talented class has made significant contributions to our global movie industry.”.
For Elordi and Taylor, the invitation lands right after Oscar-season attention of their own. Elordi was an Oscar nominee earlier this year for “Frankenstein,” while Taylor was an Oscar nominee earlier this year for “One Battle After Another.”
Over the past decade, the Academy has been expanding its membership, adding more women, international filmmakers and diverse voices. With the addition of the 529 invitees for the 2026 class. the Academy’s membership would be 36% women. 25% from underrepresented communities and 22% international. according to IndieWire.
That broader push is reflected beyond acting names. This year’s invitees include casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, makeup artists, hairstylists and other film industry professionals, expanding who gets a seat at the Academy’s table.
The membership list is also a window into the kind of work the Academy is bringing in—spanning recent high-profile releases and established careers across genres and countries. The invited class includes Mathieu Amalric (“The Grand Budapest Hotel. ” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”); Jon Bernthal (“King Richard. ” “Ford v Ferrari”); Raúl Briones (“La Cocina. ” “A Cop Movie”); Kenneth Choi (“Spider-Man: Homecoming. ” “The Wolf of Wall Street”); Jemaine Clement (“Avatar: The Way of Water. ” “What We Do in the Shadows”); and Paddy Considine (“The Death of Stalin. ” “In America”).
Also invited are David Dastmalchian (“Oppenheimer,” “Dune”); Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (“My Father’s Shadow,” “His House”); Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein,” “Saltburn”); Veronica Ferres (“The Comedian,” “Schtonk!”); Stephen Fry (“Love & Friendship,” “Gosford Park”); and Josh Gad (“Marshall,” “Frozen”).
Julia Garner (“Weapons. ” “The Assistant”) is on the invite list alongside Mia Goth (“Frankenstein. ” “Pearl”); Wood Harris (“One Battle after Another. ” “Remember the Titans”); Suzy Eddie Izzard (“Victoria & Abdul. ” “Ocean’s Twelve”); Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (“Sentimental Value. ” “Women in Oversized Men’s Shirts”); and Simu Liu (“Barbie. ” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”).
Additional actors invited include Scoot McNairy (“A Complete Unknown. ” “Argo”); Tig Notaro (“Am I OK?. ” “Instant Family”); Josh O’Connor (“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. ” “Challengers”); Jenna Ortega (“Death of a Unicorn. ” “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”); Daniella Pineda (“The Accountant 2. ” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”); and Lily Rabe (“The Tender Bar. ” “Miss Stevens”).
The class also features Anthony Ramos (“A House of Dynamite. ” “In the Heights”); Miguel Sandoval (“Tortilla Heaven. ” “Clear and Present Danger”); Bill Skarsgård (“Dead Man’s Wire. ” “Nosferatu”); Jenny Slate (“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. ” “Obvious Child”); and Teyana Taylor (“One Battle After Another. ” “A Thousand and One”).
What links all of it is the practical consequence of the Academy’s invitation: these members become eligible to vote on the Oscars and join the organization’s wider work through committees and initiatives—meaning the next year’s awards season decisions will be shaped. in part. by faces that only recently received a formal welcome into the Academy.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Oscars 2026 Jacob Elordi Teyana Taylor Oscar voters membership expansion Bill Kramer Lynette Howell Taylor voting eligibility IndieWire