LOS ANGELES—The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will begin presenting an Oscar for Achievement in Casting, beginning with the 98th Oscars celebrating films released in 2025, the organization announced Feb. 8.

“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,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

Rules and eligibility requirements for the new Oscar category will be announced in April 2025, when the Academy releases its full list of rules for the 98th Academy Awards.

According to the Academy, the organization’s Casting Directors Branch was created in 2013 and has nearly 160 members. The award is the first new Oscar category since 2001, when the honor for Best Animated Feature Film was introduced.

“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,” Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane said in a joint statement. “This award is a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors’ exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch.”