The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday that it had invited a record 744 new members to its governing body, surpassing the 683 invitations issued in 2016.
In the announcement unveiling this year’s invitees, the Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, wrote: “We’re proud to invite our newest class to the Academy.
Isaacs will be stepping down as president of the Academy next month, having completed four one-year terms.
Under her leadership, the Academy pledged to open up its membership, which in 2016 was 92% white and 75% male, to more women and people of color.