Academy invites 322 new members

"Slumdog Millionaire" star Dev Patel, this year's best actor Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo and Felicity Jones are among the 322 people, who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as members.
The extensive list of invitees include many other prominent names like Elizabeth Banks, Rosamund Pike, Emma Stone, Tom Hardy, Martin Freeman, Kevin Hart, Chris Pine, J K Simmons and "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe.
Besides actors, the Academy has invited talent from varied areas be it directors, cinematographers, make-up artistes, casting directors, costume designers, documentarians, executives, film editors, musicians and producers.

"It's gratifying to acknowledge the extraordinary range of talent in our industry," said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
"This year, our branches have recognised a more diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before, and we look forward to adding their creativity, ideas and experience to our organisation," she added.
"Whiplash" director Damien Chazelle, James Gunn of "Guardians of the Galaxy" fame, British directors like Edgar Wright (The World's End) and Joe Wright (Anna Karenina), have also been invited to join the organisation.