Two Nigerians Join Oscars Academy’s 2025 Class

Chinalurumogu EzeJune 27, 20251 Mins read95

Two Nigerian creatives have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2025, breaking a year-long pause in Nigerian representation and reinforcing the country’s growing influence in global cinema.

Costume designer Bunmi Ademilola Fashina and music composer Ré Olunuga were among the 534 film professionals selected worldwide to join the Academy this year. Fashina, celebrated for her work on Mami Wata, Shanty Town, and Sylvia, was invited into the Costume Designers branch. Olunuga, whose recent spotlight at Cannes highlighted his range in works like Drift, Iwaju, and God Calling, was welcomed into the Music branch.

Their inclusion marks a significant milestone for Nigeria, especially after no invitations were extended to Nigerians in 2024. This year’s intake reflects an effort to foster diversity, with 41% women, 45% from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and over half of the new members coming from outside the United States.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang described the new class as a powerful addition to the global filmmaking community. “These exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our industry,” they said in a joint statement.

The 2025 class also includes figures with African heritage, such as Nigerian-American filmmaker Julius Onah, British-Nigerian director Jeymes Samuel, and South African screen veteran John Kani.

The last batch of Nigerian filmmakers invited to the Academy was in 2023, featuring major industry names like Jade Osiberu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Afolayan, and C.J. “Fiery” Obasi.

New members are chosen based on their artistic achievements and commitment to representation and inclusion. Only those who accept the invitation will officially become Academy members in 2025.

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