The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors introduced a new Oscar category for exceptional casting.
The Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences (ACAS) governing body has declared that the Oscars will now incorporate a fresh classification acknowledging achievements in film casting. With the approaching 98th Academy Awards, set to honor movies crafted in 2025, the Academy Award for Excellence in Casting will be appended to the roster of accolades.
In the year 2026, the inaugural Academy Award will be bestowed within the recently established category.
Bill Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy, and Janet Yang, serving as President, jointly issued a commendation to the members of the Casting Directors Division for attaining this significant milestone, lauding their unwavering commitment and diligence throughout the entire application process.
Their joint statement articulates: “Casting directors play a pivotal role in the art of filmmaking, and as the Academy progresses, we take pride in incorporating casting into the array of disciplines that we acknowledge and commemorate. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the members of the Casting Directors Division for this exhilarating milestone and for their steadfast dedication and diligence during this progression.”
The members of the Academy Casting Directors Division, including Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Colman, and Debra Zane, issued a collective statement expressing their appreciation to the Board of Governors, the Awards Committee, and the Academy leadership for their unwavering support.
They conveyed, “On behalf of the constituents of the Casting Directors Division, we wish to convey our gratitude to the Board of Governors, the Awards Committee, and the leadership of the Academy for their unwavering support. This recognition is a merited validation of the exceptional talents possessed by our casting directors and serves as a testament to the resolute endeavors of our division.”
During April of 2025, upon the complete unveiling of the regulations for the 98th Academy Awards, the criteria for qualification and the methodologies for voting in the inaugural award will be disclosed.
Presently, approximately 160 individuals are enrolled as members of the Academy’s casting directors’ division, which was established in July of 2013.
