The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will finally acknowledge the importance of stunt professionals beginning with films released in 2027. The Board of Directors has officially added an Oscar for Achievement in Stunt Design to the categories recognized by members of the Academy. The first Academy Award presented in the new category will occur during the 100th Academy Awards to be held in 2028.
“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.”
Currently, the Academy’s Production and Technology Branch includes more than 100 stunt professionals.
Much of the credit to the Stunt Design Oscar goes to former stuntman and The Fall Guy director David Leitch. “There’s been confusion in the past where it was like, ‘What are you going to award? Who’s the stunt?’ It’s not like an actor, where you’re going to award the performer,” said Leitch in an April 2024 interview with Men’s Health. “That’s important because we have some incredible performers that are doing one-off stunts, but it’s like the making of a movie—there’s an army of people in every department. We want to celebrate the department, and so the award will be for stunt design.”
The Academy will release a full description of the category rules, both for eligibility and voting, in 2027. Per the Academy: “The specifics of the award’s presentation will be determined by the Academy’s Board of Governors and executive leadership at a future date.”
The 2026 Oscars, to be hosted by Conan O’Brien, will mark the first time an Academy Award will be presented in the Achievement in Casting category. Films released in 2025 will be eligible to submit in the new category.
This post was last modified on January 22, 2026 2:41 pm