A number of Irish filmakers have been invited to vote on the 2017 Oscars.

They include Lenny Abrahamson, Ed Guiney and Nathan Nugent from Element Pictures along with writer Emma Donoghue.

The Shore director Orlagh George, Cartoon Saloon’s Nora Twomey and John Crowley and Benjamin Cleary are also on the list of 683.

The Academy has invited a number of Irish people in recent years including actors Michael Fassbender, Cillian Murphy and Saoirse Ronan and U2 frontman Bono.

Last year saw controversy and a boycott about the lack of racial diversity among Oscar nominees.

Chief Executive of the Irish Film Board James Hickey is welcoming the Irish additions: