MANILA, Philippines — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is inviting more than 500 industry personalities to become members and potential voters in future Oscar ceremonies.
Among those invited by the Academy is Filipino director Arvin Belarmino, specifically in the organization's Short Films branch.
In its release, AMPAS notably mentioned Belarmino's short films, "Agapito" and "Hinakdal," the latter won Best Screenplay, the Audience Award, and the special NETPAC Award at the 2023 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
The 15-minute "Agapito" is Belarmino's tribute to his brother. He co-directed it with Kyla Danelle Romero.
"Agapito" premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival then later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received a Best International Short Film Honorable Mention.
Also invited by AMPAS in the same branch is Filipino-American director Andrew Stephen Lee, whose short films include "At Little Wheelie Three Days Ago" and "Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy." Both made festival rounds.
A number of Filipinos joined the Academy in the past, including Dolly de Leon (Actors branch), Baby Ruth Villarama (Documentary Branch), and directors Brillante Mendoza and Lav Diaz for the Directors branch.
Related: Film Academy of the Philippines begins next Oscar hunt
Star invites
The big names in AMPAS' latest list of invites are naturally in the Actors branch, led by recent Oscar nominees Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
Other notable actors invited are Jenna Ortega, Josh O'Connor, Josh Gad, Julia Garner, Stephen Fry, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Simu Liu, Anthony Ramos, David Dastmalchian, Jemaine Clement, Paddy Considine, and Bill Skarsgård.
"Weapons" visionary Zach Cregger and Safdie brothers Benny and Josh were invited to join the Directors branch.
The Safdie siblings were also invited to join the Writers branch — and Josh in the Editors branch too — and per Academy rules, they and seven other individuals must choose only one branch to join.
"KPop Demon Hunters" directors and producers Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans, Michelle Wong, and Mingjue Helen Chen were all invited to join the Animation branch, while the animated movie's singer, EJAE, was invited in the Music branch.
New Disney chief Josh D'Amaro, singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, and cinematographers Michael Bauman and Adolpho Veloso were also invited by the academy.