In a groundbreaking move, the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the addition of a new competitive Oscar category for best achievement in casting. This development marks the first new category introduced by the Academy since the inception of the Best Animated Feature Film award in 2001. The new category will debut at the 98th annual ceremony, honoring films released in 2025.

Embracing Casting Directors’ Contributions

The decision to recognize casting directors underscores the pivotal role they play in the filmmaking process. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed pride in expanding the scope of recognition within the Academy. They emphasized the significance of casting directors’ contributions and congratulated the Casting Directors Branch members on this milestone.

Branch Members Celebrate Milestone

The Casting Directors Branch, established in July 2013 and comprising nearly 160 members, welcomed the news with enthusiasm. Branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Colman, and Debra Zane extended gratitude to the Board of Governors, the Awards Committee, and Academy leadership for their support. They hailed the new award as a well-deserved acknowledgment of casting directors’ exceptional talents and the dedicated efforts of the branch.

Long-Awaited Recognition

The journey towards recognizing casting directors has been long-standing. Originating in the late 1990s, efforts to include casting as a category faced challenges and lacked widespread support until now.

Future Prospects: Potential for Stunt Category

In addition to the introduction of the casting category, discussions within the Academy have surfaced regarding the potential inclusion of a category for stunts. This proposal has garnered significant support within the Hollywood community and reflects ongoing efforts to acknowledge various facets of filmmaking.

Commitment to Technical Excellence

The Academy’s recent establishment of the Production and Technology Branch in March 2023 further illustrates its commitment to recognizing key technical and production roles across all phases of filmmaking.

Setting the Stage for Evolution

As preparations for the 96th Oscars on Sunday, March 10, continue, the announcement of the new casting category sets the stage for an evolution in the recognition of cinematic excellence at future ceremonies.