3 Filipino filmmakers get invite as members of The Academy

MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino documentarists and filmmakers were invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be part of its members.

Ditsi Carolino, PJ Raval and Baby Ruth Villarama were among the 842 new members invited by The Academy, the organization behind the annual Oscar Awards.

Among prominent personalities included in the list released by The Academy on Tuesday were actors Lady Gaga, Tom Holland, “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jonathan Chu, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” director Christopher Miller and more.

Raval, known for his works like “Call Her Ganda” and “Before You Know It,” expressed joy to be welcomed by The Academy.

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“WHAT A DAY!!! Not only is @callherganda having its @pbs broadcast premiere on @povdocs tonight at 10pm (check local listings!!!), but just got invited into the @theacademy!!! And I’m in such great company too! Congrats to all!!! Best. Day. Ever!!! #WeAreTheAcademy,” Raval wrote in an Instagram post.

Villarama, whose notable works include “Sunday Beauty Queen” and “Jazz in Love,” said it is an honor to raise the country’s flag in The Academy.

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“I guess life can really take this young dreamer from Baliuag by surprise. To changing the narrative how the world sees us and how we see ourselves within, it is my honour to raise our three stars and sun; our white, yellow, blue and red to be with the world’s finest in ushering the best documentary films from Asia and the world,” Villarama said in a Facebook post.

Carolino, on the other hand, is best known for her documentaries like “Hindered Land” and “Bunso.”

The Academy said it has invited 842 new members from 59 countries and 50 percent of whom are female and 29 percent are people of color. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)