Kira Muratova, an 82-year-old Ukrainian director, has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Starting this year, she will be on a jury that annually chooses the best films, which will win Oscar awards.
Muratova’s name appeared on the list of the “class of 2017” – 774 movie industry workers from 57 countries, published by the U.S.-based Academy on its website on June 28. With its new invitees, the prestigious film award organization now has about 8,000 members.
“The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 774 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures,” the academy’s document says.
Accused of getting too big, the academy insists it is becoming more diverse.
“We’re not trying to be big. We’re trying to be inclusive,” Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs told the U.S. magazine Vanity Fair.
Muratova is one of 64 directors invited to join the Academy’s jury.
She is famous for shooting such films as “Eternal Return,” “A Melody for a Barrel Organ,” and “The Tuner.” Muratova is a member of the Ukrainian Oscar Committee, which submits movie nominations in the best foreign language film category.
Every year the Academy sends invitations to actors, directors, producers, cinematographers, designers, film editors, stylists and others to become the members of the organization.
This year the Academy invited, among others, directors Guy Ritchie (“Snatch,” “Sherlock Holmes”), David Ayer (“Suicide Squad,” “Fury”), Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”), actors and actresses Kristen Stewart, Betty White, and Dwayne Johnson, and the singer Justin Timberlake.
