Nigerian Filmmakers Join 2025 Oscars Academy Invitee List

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its 2025 class of invitees, extending membership to 534 distinguished artists and executives across the global film industry. Among them are two Nigerians; Bunmi Ademilola Fashina and Ré Olunuga, marking another milestone in the Academy’s ongoing push for international inclusion.

Fashina, known for her costume work on “Mami Wata,” “Shanty Town,” and “Light in the Dark,” was invited to join the Costume Designers Branch. Olunuga, a film composer whose credits include “Iwaju,” “God Calling,” “Drift,” and “Girl,” joins under the Music Branch.

They are part of a growing list of Nigerians who have earned seats at the Oscars Academy in recent years, following 2023 invitees like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Afolayan, CJ Obasi, Shola Dada, and Jade Osiberu.

Other names with Nigerian ties on this year’s list include British-Nigerian composer Segun Akinola, Nigerian-American filmmaker Julius Onah, and British-Nigerian director Jeymes Samuel. Veteran South African actor John Kani was also invited, under the Acting Branch.

The Academy’s 2025 invitee class draws from 60 countries and territories, with 55% of members from outside the U.S., 41% women, and 45% from underrepresented communities.

“Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang in a joint statement.

The class includes 91 Oscar nominees and 26 winners. Notable additions include Ariana Grande (“Wicked”), Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”), Mikey Madison (“Anora”), Jeremy Strong, and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”).

Veteran industry names such as Gillian Anderson (“The House of Mirth”), Dave Bautista (“Dune: Part Two”), Jason Momoa (“Aquaman”), and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also feature.

Membership to the Academy is by invitation only and typically requires sponsorship from two current members of the relevant branch. Nominees, however, are automatically considered.

If accepted, invitees will join over 10,500 members of the Academy with full voting rights for the Oscars and other internal elections.