PREVIEW

Oscars Announce New Category for 2026. The new category was revealed by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Feb. 8, 'ET' reports. In 2026, an Oscar for achievement in casting will be awarded. "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." "We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process." Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang, via press release. "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." "This award is a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors' exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch." Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane, via press release. Eligibility and voting rules will be revealed in April 2025. The last time that the Oscars added a new category was in 2001, 'ET' reports. That category was best animated feature. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT