Earlier this week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) invited 487 new members into their international organization, including a collection of Latine talent. Membership in the AMPAS includes having a vote in the annual Academy Awards aka the Oscars.
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of new members to the Academy,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “These remarkably talented artists and professionals from around the world have made a significant impact on our filmmaking community.”
In the actors’ branch of the Academy, the Latines invited to join were Jessica Alba (Sin City), Stephanie Beatriz (Encanto), Kate Del Castillo (Under the Same Moon) and Alfredo Castro (El Conde).
“What an honor!” Alba wrote on social media. “I’m so grateful to be listed among such incredible artists, executives + visionaries in entertainment. Thank you so much [The Academy] – this is a dream come true.”
In the directors’ branch, the Latine filmmakers invited to join the Academy were Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle), Fede Álvarez (Don’t Breathe), Kyle Patrick Alvarez (The Stanford Prison Experiment), Lila Avilés (Totem), Jayro Bustamente (La Llorona), Alex Rivera (The Infiltrators) and Juliana Rojas (Good Manners).
Latines from other branches of the Academy who made the cut include Linda Yvette Chávez (Flamin’ Hot) and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Blue Beetle) in the screenwriters’ branch; Alejandro Reza (Noche de Bodas) and Luis Rosales (Cassandro) in the casting directors’ branch; Damián García (I’m No Longer Here) and Dariela Ludlow Deloya (A Million Miles Away) in the cinematographers’ branch; and Mónica Toschi (Argentina, 1985) and Gabriela Fernández (Cantinflas) in the costume designers’ branch; among others.
The 97th edition of the Oscars will be held March 2, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.