Five Iranians invited to join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Oscar winners Molayemi and Sohani among new invitees in 2025 membership class
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Five Iranian artists have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as part of its 2025 membership drive that includes 534 artists and industry professionals from across the globe.
The Iranian invitees are filmmakers Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani, and Saeed Roustayi, actor Payman Maadi, and cinematographer Ali Ghazi, all recognized for their contributions to cinema in recent years, according to Iranian media outlet ISNA.
Earlier in March, Molayemi and Sohani won the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards for In the Shadow of the Cypress, making it the first Iranian animated or live-action short film to receive an Oscar.
Both hold master’s degrees in animation directing from the Tehran University of Art.
Molayemi, active since 2004, has worked in animation direction, character design, and teaching, while Sohani, who began her career in 2012, has served as a director, concept and background artist, scriptwriter, and production manager.
They are eligible to join either the Animation or Short Films branch of the Academy.
Saeed Roustayi, 35, is known for Leila’s Brothers, Law of Tehran, Life and a Day, and Woman and Child.
His debut feature won best director and best screenplay at the Fajr International Film Festival, while Law of Tehran was nominated for the César Award for Best Foreign Film. His most recent films competed at the Cannes Film Festival.
Payman Maadi, 54, earned the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival for his role in A Separation.
He has also worked internationally, appearing in Camp X-Ray and Last Knights, and in all of Roustayi’s films.
Ali Ghazi, 49, has served as director of photography for Life and a Day, A Hero (2021), and About Elly (2009), both directed by Asghar Farhadi.
The Academy stated that its selections are based on professional merit, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
Among the 2025 invitees, 41% are women, 45% from underrepresented communities, and 55% from outside the U.S.. The class includes 91 Oscar nominees, 26 winners, and three Scientific and Technical Award recipients.
If all accepted, Academy membership would rise to 11,120, with 10,143 voting members. Women would comprise 35% of the total, with 22% from underrepresented groups and 21% international members.
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