Oscars Introduce New Category in 2026: Best Casting Award

The organizers of the Academy Awards have announced that a new competitive category, the Oscar for best casting, will be introduced from 2026. This will be the first new category since best animated feature was added in 2002. Casting directors have campaigned in recent years to be recognized for their contribution to films, similar to how other crafts like sound, costume, and hair and make-up are acknowledged. In a statement, Academy bosses emphasized that casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking and that they are proud to add casting to the disciplines that they celebrate. The category will not be introduced until 2026 due to the advanced planning of awards campaigns. Despite efforts to shorten the ceremony, the Academy has decided to introduce the best casting category. Currently, 23 awards are given out, and while the public is generally interested in major prizes like best picture and acting categories, the new casting category is a welcome addition. It is still uncertain whether the category will be included in the telecast. Casting directors are involved early in film projects and play a crucial role in shaping major Hollywood films by hiring A-list stars and performers for both leading and smaller roles. Stunt performers have also campaigned for their own category, but have not been successful so far. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards introduced a stunt category in 2007, which was won by the team behind Top Gun: Maverick last year. The reaction to the new casting category has been more positive compared to the popular film category, which was proposed in 2018 but faced criticism from industry figures. This year's Oscars ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on March 10 in Los Angeles. The three governors of the Academy's casting directors branch expressed their gratitude for the announcement of the casting prize, acknowledging the exceptional talents of casting directors and the dedicated efforts of their branch.