Academy Awards Introduces New Oscar Category for Casting The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a new Oscar category for casting, marking the first addition to the awards since 2001. Casting directors' long-standing push for recognition has finally led to the creation of this new category, set to debut in 2026. The decision reflects the Academy's evolving recognition of various filmmaking disciplines and aims to acknowledge the crucial role that casting directors play in the success of a film. This move aligns the Oscars with other prestigious awards shows and addresses the longstanding demand for casting to be celebrated alongside other essential aspects of filmmaking.