Nigerian ace actor, Ramsey Nouah and Nigerian media personality, Mo Abudu are among the 395 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences this year.
The class of 2021 is made up of actors, cinematographers, costume designers, producers, makeup artists and hairstylists, and music professionals.
While Ramsey Nouah is yet to react to this news Mo Abudu, who seems very excited about it shared on her Instagram page. The veteran media personality wrote on her Instagram:
“I am pleased and excited to inform you that I have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, popularly known as ‘THE OSCARS’, in the PRODUCER membership category. My producer credits listed by The Academy are OLOTURE and THE ROYAL HIBISCUS HOTEL”.
According to her, It’s such an honor to be included in that category by The Academy. Mo Abudu who is proud to be one of the 29 invited producers from around the world emphasized that she is the only “Nigerian and African woman in the Producer category. Ladies, we can do anything!”
She also took the opportunity to show her appreciation to those who have one way or the other helped her attain her goal. Also, she congratulated her colleagues who have also been invited to the academy.
“I give GOD all GLORY and all HONOUR. My thanks and love to the EBONY LIFE team who work so hard to make these things possible. This membership is ours, guys! We will continue to do what we do best – TELLING AFRICAN STORIES TO AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD.
“Last but not least, my congratulations to my brothers @shot_by_andrew_dosunmu and @ramseynouah, respectively invited into Director and Actor membership categories of the Academy”.
It is worth noting that Genevieve Nnaji, Akin Omotoso, and Cynthia Erivo became members in 2020. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Femi Odugbemi, and Simon Onwurah joined also in 2018.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Academy disclosed that the membership selection decisions were based on professional qualifications, “with representation, inclusion, and equity remaining a priority of Academy Aperture 2021.”
The 2021 class is 46% women, 39% underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 53% international from 49 countries outside of the United States. There are 89 Oscar nominees, including 25 winners, among the invitees.
It added that the number of invitees this year was limited to roughly half that of recent years which is 819 invitees, “a number in line with the expansion of AMPAS membership put in place over the past five years in order to bring in more diversity and increase the numbers of women and underrepresented artists”.
The academy explained that the cut down was made “to enable steady future growth and to ensure the necessary infrastructure, staff resources, and environment to support all Academy members”.
It also noted that the Academy’s Board of Governors voted on branch-specific guidelines to be applied in determining this year’s new membership invitees. Oscar winners and nominees were considered without limitation by applicable branches.
Meanwhile, other notable personalities invited include the Malaysian actor Henry Golding, American film director Shaka King and English actress Vanessa Kirby.
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