Renowned National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das, hailing from Assam, has received a prestigious invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
This honour places her among 487 artists and executives worldwide selected for their significant contributions to the film industry.
Membership in the Academy holds immense influence, particularly in activities like voting for the Oscars, which are among the most esteemed awards in cinema.
Expressing her excitement, Das remarked, "It's an honour to become a member of The Academy. Thank you for this opportunity. Excited to celebrate the power and magic of cinema. Congrats to my fellow members..." She took to social media platforms to share her joy.
Joining Das in this year’s cohort of notable Indian invitees are several esteemed personalities including actor Shabana Azmi, director SS Rajamouli, cinematographer Ravi Varman, director Anand Kumar Tucker, costume designers Rama Rajamouli and Sheetal Sharma, documentary filmmakers Nisha Pahuja and Hemal Trivedi, producer Ritesh Sidhwani, and choreographer Prem Rakshith.
Das, a self-taught filmmaker who originated from a remote village near Chhaygaon in the Kamrup district, has already made her mark on the global stage.
Her film "Village Rockstars" was India’s official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars in 2019. Her latest feature, "Tora’s Husband," has also garnered international acclaim, winning five trophies at the Filmfare Awards Assamese 2024.
The Academy's invitation is a testament to Das’s journey from humble beginnings to international recognition.
Last year, the Academy extended invitations to 398 artists and executives, including prominent Indian figures like directors Mani Ratnam, Karan Johar, and Shaunak Sen, composer MM Keeravani, cinematographer KK Senthil Kumar, production designer Sabu Cyril, and producer Siddharth Roy Kapur.
The 2024 class stands out for its diversity, with 44% women, 41% from underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and members from 56 countries and territories outside the United States.
This reflects the Academy's commitment to inclusivity and global representation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), based in the United States, presents the Academy Awards of Merit, known as the Oscars.
These awards recognise excellence in cinematic achievements, assessed by the Academy's esteemed voting membership, and are widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in filmmaking worldwide.