A distinguished award honouring casting directors will now be presented at the Oscars in recognition of their enormous contributions to the motion picture industry. With this official announcement, casting directors—long considered an essential part of the filmmaking process—will finally get the credit they merit on Hollywood's biggest platform, which is a historic moment.
The decision to introduce the new category was confirmed by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday. Effective at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony in 2026, this addition reflects the Academy's commitment to evolving with the industry and acknowledging the diverse talents involved in the process of filmmaking.
Casting directors have been pivotal in shaping the success of films, yet their role has never been formally acknowledged at the Oscars until the announcement. With this new award, the Academy aims to celebrate and honour the exceptional talents and dedicated efforts of casting directors in bringing memorable characters to life on screen.
The establishment of this category follows the creation of the casting directors' branch in July 2013, which has since grown to include nearly 160 members. The decision was met with enthusiasm by industry professionals, including Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman, and Debra Zane, who hailed it as a well-deserved acknowledgment of casting directors' contributions.