Matt Groening, Lena Dunham, Jason Bateman Invited To Be Oscar Voters... With Prince

29 June 2013 | 5:15 pm | Staff Writer

And Australian cinematographer Simon Duggan makes the grade as well.

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America's Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has relaxed its quota system for inviting new members to join the elite group of film industry folk who vote in the annual Oscars race.

The intake increased from 100 in 2012 to 276 this year. And, the Academy has opened the floodgates to a variety of types including hip indie 'kids', artists best known for their TV work, a smattering of popstars and even an Australian.

Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, is one of many better known for TV work amongst the new crew of would-be voters. There's also Girls' creator Lena Dunham, Arrested Development 's Jason Bateman and Grey's Anatomy star Sandra Oh. There's also former Freaks & Geeks directors Paul Feig and Ken Kwapis. All, of course, have dabbled in cinema - a criteria for being invited to vote.

Dunham also doubles as 'indie cool' cred alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jason Schwartzman and Sarah Polley.

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While Prince has been pegged for his work on the Purple Rain soundtrack, part-time pop star Jennifer Lopez makes it in for her acting work.

Representing Australia is cinematographer Simon Duggan, who most recently worked on The Great Gatsby.

Other notable names include Charles Grodin, Lance Henriksen, Milla Jovovich, Lucy Liu, Danny Trejo, The Hangover director Todd Phillips, Chris Tucker, singer Siedah Garrett and Julie Delpy (for her screenplay work).

You can film nerd-out over the full list here.