The Academy Awards

Invitation Only
By Annie Rivera

Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest co-star Keira Knightley is among the 120 who received an invitation for membership to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a highly prestigious honor for distinguished creative artists and executives. Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire, 2004) and Terrence Howard (Best Actor, Hustle & Flow 2005) were also among the nominees. According to Publicist Leslie Unger at AMPAS, "The group will be the only new voting members invited to join the organization in 2006."

"The Academy decided to become even more selective in choosing members," said Academy President Sid Ganis. Not all those who meet the minimum qualifications for membership will be invited. Instead invitations for membership to the Academy will be done by the committee comprised of noteworthy representatives from 14 different categories - art, directors, executives, film editors, etc. "Only those with the most exceptional qualifications will be selected," Ganis added.

Committee members or two current members in the nominee's respective branch can recommend an artist or executive.

AMPAS members are mostly from the U.S. but there are many from other countries. New members will be honored and welcomed to the Academy at an invitation-only reception on Wed., Sept. 20, at the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills.

Historically, the Academy Awards are presented every year in March and has become the highlight of AMPAS. The Academy exists to advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures.

Posted: 08/22/07
Media: Cypress College & CyChron.com
Photo: Courtesy of Academy Awards