The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu along with other 91 directors to become a member. Every year, the Academy elects the Oscar winners.
One of the most famous Romanian directors, Mungiu won the Palme d’Or at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival with “4 Months, 3 weeks and 2 days and, five years later, won the Best Screenplay Award at the same festival for “Beyond the Hills.”
His most recent movie, “Graduation”, received the Best Director Award at this year’s edition of the festival on the Croisette.
The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited nearly 700 actors, directors, costume designers and more to join its ranks. According to estimates, the move could be interpreted as a push for diversity, with almost half the invitees being women and almost as many people of color.
The Academy has over 6,000 members.
According to an Academy press release, the new members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception this coming autumn.
Georgeta Gheorghe