Best Casting - 98th Academy Awards

HISTORIC FIRST YEAR

The Art of Casting

For the first time in Academy Awards history, the Oscars added an official Achievement in Casting category in 2026 — the first new competitive category in more than two decades. This award recognizes the creative leadership of casting directors in assembling a film's ensemble — a craft that shapes tone, chemistry, and performance, yet historically went without a dedicated Academy Award honor.

Casting directors select actors whose skills, presence, and relationships with one another bring the characters and story to life on screen. This addition comes after years of advocacy from within the industry, where casting professionals have long been celebrated by peers (e.g., Casting Society of America's Artios Awards) but lacked formal Oscars recognition.

We don't just cast actors; we build families

Nina Gold

for Hamnet

Nationality: British

Career Span: 30+ years

Notable Credits: Les Misérables, The Martian, The Two Popes, Star Wars films, Game of Thrones, The Crown

Recognition: Multiple BAFTA and Artios Awards

Why Nominated: Gold's Hamnet casting has been widely praised for finding the right chemistry and emotional resonance in a story centered on grief and family, anchoring the film with performances that drive its heartfelt narrative.

"Casting Hamnet was about finding actors who could carry the weight of grief and love simultaneously. Shakespeare's family story required performers who could navigate both historical authenticity and raw human emotion. The ensemble had to feel like a real family—with all the complexity that entails."

Career Highlights:

Game of Thrones Ensemble The Crown Casting Star Wars Franchise Historical Drama Specialist Breakout Talent Discoveries

Jennifer Venditti

for Marty Supreme

Nationality: American

Career Span: 15+ years

Notable Credits: Independent films and character-driven dramas

Recognition: Emerging talent in casting circles

Why Nominated: Venditti is recognized for her work on Marty Supreme, a role-driven sports drama where casting the lead and surrounding players was critical to rooting the film's eccentric tone and character dynamics in authenticity.

"Marty Supreme needed actors who could embody both athletic prowess and eccentric personality. We looked for performers who understood the weird, wonderful world of underground sports culture. The challenge was finding actors who felt authentic both in competition scenes and in the film's offbeat dramatic moments."

Career Highlights:

Character-Driven Casting Independent Film Focus Quirky Ensemble Building Authentic Performance Matching Emerging Talent Recognition

Cassandra Kulukundis

for One Battle After Another

Nationality: American

Career Span: 25+ years

Notable Credits: Major studio films and festival favorites

Recognition: Respected presence in casting circles

Why Nominated: Kulukundis began in the industry decades ago and has become known for thoughtful casting choices. Her nomination highlights her work assembling a complex ensemble in a political thriller where character chemistry and believability are central.

"One Battle After Another required an ensemble that could handle both intense political drama and intimate personal moments. Each character had to feel like they belonged in this high-stakes world—from seasoned politicians to idealistic newcomers. The casting needed to reflect the complex power dynamics at play."

Career Highlights:

Political Drama Expertise Ensemble Chemistry Building Festival Film Casting Star-Ensemble Balance Long-Form Narrative Casting

Gabriel Domingues

for The Secret Agent

Nationality: Brazilian

Career Span: 20+ years

Notable Credits: International co-productions and Latin American cinema

Recognition: Expert in cross-cultural casting

Why Nominated: Domingues helped bring an international political drama to life with actors who anchor the story's tension and stakes. International casting often presents unique challenges involving cultural authenticity and nuanced performance demands, which this nomination reflects.

"The Secret Agent required actors who could navigate multiple languages, cultural contexts, and political realities. We needed performers who felt authentically Brazilian while also embodying universal human experiences. The casting had to reflect both the specific historical moment and timeless themes of resistance and morality."

Career Highlights:

International Co-Productions Latin American Cinema Cross-Cultural Casting Political Drama Expertise Multilingual Ensemble Building

LEGENDARY STATUS

Francine Maisler

for Sinners

Nationality: American

Career Span: 35+ years, 70+ films

Notable Credits: 12 Years a Slave, The Revenant, Birdman, Dune, Arrival, The Tree of Life

Recognition: Multiple Artios Awards, Primetime Emmys, industry legend

Why Nominated: One of the most respected casting directors in Hollywood. Her casting for Sinners helped anchor its intricate blend of supernatural themes, period setting, and rich character interplay.

"Sinners presented a unique challenge: balancing historical authenticity with supernatural elements. We needed actors who could ground the film in its period setting while also embracing its mystical dimensions. The ensemble had to feel cohesive across multiple timelines and reality layers."

Career Highlights:

Auteur Collaborations Academy Award-Winning Films Epic Ensemble Building Period Film Expertise Industry Trailblazer

Casting Category Facts

1st

Year of Category

Casting Directors

200+

Combined Years Experience

Countries Represented

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