2013 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Invites Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Miyazaki Collaborator Joe Hisaishi, DP Michael Chin and others to become Members

Beverly Hills, CA

 Photo credit used by permission: Emmy Magazine, Lucy Liu

 
Congratulations to all of the 2013 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invitees.

"These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today," said Academy President Hawk Koch. "Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy. Invitees who accept their invitation to join will be eligible to vote in the annual Oscars.

The 276 invitees for 2013 include 12 names with Asian surnames that could be informally determined from the official Academy list. 

The 2013 invitees include actors Lucy Liu and Sandra Oh, CEO of Warner Bros Entertainment Kevin Tsujihara, documentary filmmaker Michael Chin, and composer and music director Joe Hisaishi who is a frequent collaborator to animation director Hayao Miyazaki ("Ponyo,""Spirited Away").

In 2012,  the overall list was 100 names shorter than 2013's. Only 7 people with Asian surnames made the 2012 list of 176 invitees including (Actor) Michelle Yeoh (“The Lady,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), (Cinematographer)  Larry Fong ("Super 8,” “300”), (Cinematographer) Toyomichi Kurita ("Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family," "Waiting to Exhale"), (Director) Wong Kar Wai (“My Blueberry Nights,” “In the Mood for Love”), (Music) Ryuichi Sakamoto (“Love Is the Devil,” “The Last Emperor”),  (Short Film/Feature Animation) Jennifer Yuh Nelson (“Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Madagascar”).

The New York Times reports that the Academy had limited its membership numbers since 2004 by using quotas within its branches, but has now changed its guidelines to increase its membership and broaden diversity within its ranks. 

The full 2013 list can be viewed at Oscars.org  The full 2012 list can be viewed here.

2013 Academy invitees (with Asian surnames) include: (click here to the article.) (Click here to the complete 2013 list of 276 names)

Actors

Lucy Liu – Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Chicago

Sandra Oh – Rabbit Hole, Sideways

Cinematographers

Mark Lee Ping Bing – Norwegian Wood, In the Mood for Love

Directors

Kim Nguyen – War Witch (Rebelle), City of Shadows

Documentary

Yung Chang – China Heavyweight, Up the Yangtze

Michael Chin – Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple, In the Shadow of the Stars

Christine Choy – In the Name of the Emperor, Who Killed Vincent Chin?

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy – Transgenders: Pakistan's Open Secret, Saving Face

Jafar Panahi – This Is Not a Film, The Circle

Renee Tajima-Pena – Who Killed Vincent Chin?, My America (Or Honk If You Love Buddha)

Executives

Kevin Tsujihara

Music

Joe Hisaishi – Ponyo, Spirited Away