Oscars Announce , New Category for 2026.br The new category was revealed by the Board br of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture br Arts and Sciences on Feb. 8, 'ET' reports. .br In 2026, an Oscar for br achievement in casting br will be awarded. .br Casting directors play an essential role br in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, br we are proud to add casting to the disciplines br that we recognize and celebrate, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and br Academy President Janet Yang, via press release.br We congratulate our Casting Directors br Branch members on this exciting br milestone and for their commitment br and diligence throughout this process, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and br Academy President Janet Yang, via press release.br On behalf of the members of the Casting br Directors Branch, we'd like to thank the br Board of Governors, the Awards Committee br and Academy leadership for their support, Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, br Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane, via press release.br This award is a deserved acknowledgment br of our casting directors' exceptional br talents and a testament to the br dedicated efforts of our branch, Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, br Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane, via press release.br Eligibility and voting rules br will be revealed in April 2025.br The last time that the Oscars added a new category was in 2001, 'ET' reports. .