The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors has approved the addition of a new Achievement in Casting Academy Award. The new category will take effect beginning with films released in 2025, with the first Achievement in Casting Oscar awarded during the 98th Oscars in 2026.
This is the first new category added since the addition of Best Animated Feature Film way back in 2001.
“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”
Rules relating to the new category are expected to be announced in April 2025. According to the Academy, the Casting Directors Branch (created in July 2013) has almost 160 members.
“On behalf of the members of the Casting Directors Branch, we’d like to thank the Board of Governors, the Awards Committee, and Academy leadership for their support. This award is a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors’ exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch,” said Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane.
