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A Hilarious—And Poignant—Oscars Moment
The inaugural Academy Award for Best Casting was a memorable, and righteous, addition.
TL;DR
- Cassandra Kulukundis won the inaugural Oscar for Best Casting for her work on *One Battle After Another*.
- The award recognizes the casting director's vital role in selecting actors and fostering chemistry within films.
- Casting directors were officially recognized by the Academy in 2013, but a trophy for the profession was only introduced in 2024.
- Kulukundis's speech highlighted the profession's historical lack of recognition and the extensive involvement of casting directors in all aspects of filmmaking.
- The ceremony featured actors from nominated films to present the new award, emphasizing the collaborative nature of casting.
- The success of *One Battle After Another* is attributed to Kulukundis's diverse casting, including stars playing against type, veteran character actors, and new talent.