Hollywood’s biggest night is officially getting a little longer. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is introducing a brand-new competitive category for the 98th Academy Awards: Achievement in Casting. Scheduled for March 15, 2026, the ceremony will mark the first time casting directors receive their own golden statuette. This is a historic shift for the organization, representing the first new category added since Best Animated Feature debuted in 2001.

The inaugural list of nominees highlights the professionals responsible for assembling some of the year's most buzzed-about ensembles. Nina Gold is recognized for her work on Hamnet, while Jennifer Venditti earned a nod for Marty Supreme. They are joined by Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another, Gabriel Domingues for The Secret Agent, and veteran casting director Francine Maisler for Sinners. These five nominees represent the first class in a new era of Academy recognition.

The addition of the casting award follows years of advocacy from the Casting Directors Branch, which was first established within the Academy in 2013. While many technical and creative roles have long been celebrated, casting was often described as the "invisible art" of filmmaking. Fans can catch the historic presentation when the 98th Oscars air live on ABC and stream on Hulu. The move is expected to be a major talking point as the industry gathers at the Dolby Theatre to crown its first-ever winner in this category.