Oscars Debut Casting Award: Who Made the Cut?

The Academy Awards have unveiled a new trophy for Achievement in Casting, a category debuting for the first time since the Animated Feature award was established in 2002. This inaugural award will be followed by a Best Stunts Oscar in 2028, expanding the Academy's recognition of cinematic crafts.

The first five nominees for the Casting Oscar exclusively feature films also nominated for Best Picture. These selections highlight the varied and challenging work of casting directors, including the discovery of young talent, the integration of non-professional actors for authentic performances, and the complex task of finding performers with specific skills like musicality or period-appropriate dialogue.

This new award category recognizes the distinct contributions of casting directors, distinguishing their work from ensemble awards. The "bake-off" process, where shortlisted films present their casting strategies, was noted as successful in educating Academy members on the intricacies of the casting process and the strategic decisions involved in assembling a film's cast.

The nominated films each present unique casting narratives. Hamnet's success stemmed from casting Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, alongside the challenging find of young actor Jacobi Jupe. Marty Supreme is lauded for its blend of professionals and non-professionals, featuring notable cameos. One Battle After Another distinguished itself by finding Chase Infiniti for a pivotal role after a five-year search, while The Secret Agent earned acclaim for its authentic portrayal of 1970s Brazil through its cast. Sinners highlights the difficulty of casting actors with combined acting, singing, and dancing talents, particularly for its lead role.