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Academy 'more selective'
06/07/2006 12:34 - (SA)
Washington - The US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations to 120 cinema stars and filmmakers under tough new membership rules, the Academy said on Wednesday.
The list includes Brokeback Mountain stars Heath Ledger of Australia and Americans Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams; and the young Dakota Fanning, 12, named for her role alongside Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds.
"Two years ago the Academy decided to slow membership growth, and to become more selective in choosing members," Academy President Sid Ganis said.
"Instead of inviting every proposed person who has reached the minimum qualifications for his or her branch, the membership committees are selecting the most exceptionally qualified names on the list."
AMPAS is dominated by Americans, but also has motion picture makers from 36 countries.
France's famed filmmaker and screenwriter Jean-Claude Carriere is one of the most prominent foreigners to make this year's list.
If all 120 invitees were to join, the Academy would have 5 895 voting members to choose winners of the 2007 Academy Awards, spokesperson Leslie Unger said.
- SAPA
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South Africa
