The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science has invited 175 people in the industry to join its membership ranks; the list includes Mexican actors Demian Bichir and Diego Luna.

The Academy grants invitations to those individuals that have “distinguished themselves by their contributions” to motion pictures.  Another surefire way to be nominated says Deadline is to have been nominated for an Oscar. 

Of those invited this year, 47 out of the 176 invitees were nominated for an Oscar.  Bichir was nominated for Best Actor in “A Better Life”, while Luna was recognized for this work in “Milk” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien”.

Other notable invitees this year include actor, Matthew McConaughey, horror author and screenwriter Stephen King and actress Melissa McCarthy.  Other Latinos extended an invitation were Mayes Rubeo for his design work in “Avatar” and “Apocalypto”, director Rodrigo Garcia, Spanish composer Alberto Iglesias, and film maker Jonas Rivera.

The Academy noted ”These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry.”  It is the membership of the Academy that determines who is nominated and who wins an Academy Award, currently there are 5,783 voting members.