The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invitations to 534 film industry figures for the 2025 class, with 66 animation and VFX professionals among them. This move advances the Academy’s commitment to representational diversity, with the new class comprising 41% women and 45% from underrepresented ethnic communities. The Academy’s recent separation of the Animation and Short Films branch reflects this increasing focus, creating a dedicated Animation branch with expanded governance through two new seats on the board. This year’s additions will bring the Animation branch’s membership closer to 740, enhancing creative influence within the industry.