With the 98th Academy Awards, held in 2026, a category was introduced for best achievement in casting. It is the first new category since 2002, when the Oscar for best animated film was first awarded. Casting directors are responsible for selecting actors for roles, whether they are an established star or an unknown performer. To find suitable candidates, they may hold auditions, review taped performances, or scout for talent at various locales. Their goal is not only to find a person who can convincingly play a character, but also to find performers who complement each other.
The first winner was Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another (2025).