New Oscar Category for Best Casting to Debut in 2026

In a significant development, Academy Awards organisers have revealed plans to introduce a new competitive category for Best Casting, marking the first addition to the ceremony since the inclusion of Best Animated Feature in 2002.

Acknowledging the vital role played by casting directors in filmmaking, Academy bosses announced the decision, hailing casting as an essential aspect of the craft.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed pride in recognising casting directors' contributions, calling it an exciting milestone for the industry.

The new category will not be implemented until the 2026 ceremony due to the extensive planning involved in awards campaigns.

Despite efforts to streamline the Oscars ceremony, currently spanning over three hours, the addition of the casting category signifies the Academy's commitment to honouring various aspects of film production.

Casting directors are among the earliest professionals involved in film projects, responsible for assembling both leading and supporting actors.

While stunt performers have advocated for their own category, similar to the one introduced at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, their efforts have not yet been successful.

Reactions to the casting category have been positive, contrasting with the backlash faced by the proposed "popular film" category in 2018, which was criticised for potentially undermining the Oscars' prestige.

Instead, the Academy experimented with a "fan favourite" prize, but opted not to continue it the following year.

The Golden Globes recently introduced a box office achievement prize, aiming to recognise films overlooked in major categories.

This year's Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, are scheduled for March 10 in Los Angeles.

The announcement of the casting category was met with gratitude from the governors of the Academy's casting directors branch, Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman, and Debra Zane, who hailed it as a well-deserved acknowledgement of their exceptional talents.