Oscars Add First New Category Since 2001

For the first time in more than two decades, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has added a new category to the Oscars telecast: Outstanding Achievement in Casting.

The inaugural casting award will be given at the 98th Academy Awards, airing in 2026 and honoring films released in 2025.

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“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,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said Thursday in a joint statement. “We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

“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,” added Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane, governors of the Academy’s Casting Directors Branch. “This award is a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors’ exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch.”

The Oscars last added a new category to the proceedings back in 2001, when Best Animated Feature Film joined the lineup. On the small-screen side, casting accolades have been a staple of both the Daytime and Primetime Emmys, with The Bear, The White Lotus, Beef and The Traitors among the most recent winners.

This year’s Oscars, meanwhile, will air Sunday, March 10, at 7/6c on ABC. Jimmy Kimmel will host for the fourth time; go here for the full list of nominations.

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