Oscars Introduce New Category After 23 Years
The Academy Awards Adds New Category to Recognize Casting Directors
In a historic move, the Board of Directors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the addition of a new category to the prestigious Oscars to recognize casting directors. The new category, known as Best Casting, marks the first addition to the Oscars since the inclusion of “Best Animated Feature” in 2001.
This decision comes as a follow-up to the establishment of the Casting Directors Branch, which now boasts 160 members and was created a decade ago. The move has been met with enthusiasm and is seen as a significant step towards recognizing the pivotal role that casting directors play in film production.
In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their support for the new category, highlighting the importance of casting directors in the filmmaking process. They congratulated the members of the Casting Directors Branch on this milestone and acknowledged their dedication and efforts in making this recognition possible.
Casting directors have long been advocating for awards recognition, and the addition of the Best Casting category is a significant victory for the industry. The new award will be included in the 98th Oscar ceremony, scheduled for early 2026, and will honor films released in 2025.
As the 96th Oscar Awards are set to take place this year, the announcement has generated excitement within the film community. The awards ceremony, which will be held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on March 10th (March 11th morning in Turkey), will feature comedian Jimmy Kimmel as the host for the fourth time.
The inclusion of the Best Casting category at the Academy Awards reflects a progressive approach to honoring all facets of the filmmaking process and demonstrates the Academy’s commitment to evolving with the industry. With the upcoming 98th Oscar ceremony, casting directors will receive the recognition they deserve, further cementing their integral role in the world of cinema.
