First-Ever Casting Director Academy Award Nominations: 2026

For the first time ever casting directors are being formally recognized with Oscar nominations, a long overdue spotlight on the people who help shape a story before the cameras start to roll. Casting is story architecture, intuition, psychology, character chemistry and ensemble balance all at once.

These nominees represent exceptional films, decades of influence, risk taking and advocacy for actors at every stage of their careers.

Here are the first-ever nominated casting directors and the films that brought them here.

Hamnet

Casting Director: Nina Gold

Few casting directors have left a footprint throughout both film and television as deep or as enduring as Nina Gold. Her work on Hamnet continues a career defined by emotional precision and an uncanny ability to align actors with the lives of complex characters. Gold’s casting choices consistently elevate material, allowing performances to feel lived in rather than performed.

Fun Fact: Gold cast last year’s Best Picture nominee Conclave.

Her instincts have shaped entire generations of storytellers and casting professionals. This nomination recognizes a legacy of excellence that has quietly guided some of the most celebrated performances of the past two decades.

Marty Supreme

Casting Director: Jennifer Venditti

Jennifer Venditti’s nomination feels especially fitting for a casting director whose career has been defined by fearlessness. Known for discovering unconventional talent and championing performers who don’t fit traditional molds (such as Marty Supreme star Odessa A’zion), Venditti’s work on Marty Supreme exemplifies casting as a creative force.

Fun Fact: Venditti cast another of this year’s Best Picture nominees, Bugonia.

Her approach prioritizes authenticity, individuality and presence reshapes what audiences expect a leading performance to look and feel like. This nomination celebrates a casting philosophy rooted in curiosity and openness, one that continues to expand the definition of who gets to be seen on screen.

One Battle After Another

Casting Director: Cassandra Kulukundis

Cassandra Kulukundis has long been associated with bold, director-driven work. Her nomination for One Battle After Another reflects a career spent pushing boundaries through casting that often feels instinctive and intimate, creating ensembles that operate with emotional truth rather than polish.

Fun Fact: Kulukundis cast last year’s Best Picture nominee The Brutalist.

Kulukundis is known for building trust between actors and the creative team, particularly through her thoughtful use of self-tapes and exploratory processes. This recognition underscores the power of casting as collaboration, where discovery is just as important as decision making.

The Secret Agent

Casting Director: Gabriel Domingues

Gabriel Domingues’ nomination marks a significant moment for international casting recognition. The Secret Agent demanded performances grounded in tension, restraint and realism. Domingues delivered a cast that fully embodied those characteristics.

Fun Fact: Domingues is also a screenwriter. He is credited as both writer and casting director on his upcoming project Yellow Cake.

His work highlights how casting bridges cultural specificity and universal storytelling, providing authenticity while maintaining global resonance. This nomination is a reminder that casting excellence knows no borders and that international voices are essential to of cinema and the art of profound storytelling.

Sinners

Casting Director: Francine Maisler

Francine Maisler’s casting on Sinners reinforces her reputation for assembling powerful ensembles that feel both grounded and electric. Known for her long-standing collaborations and sharp eye for emotional specificity, Maisler consistently places actors in roles that allow them to push boundaries while remaining truthful.

Fun Fact: Maisler also cast the 2025 Golden Globe and 2026 Emmy-winning television series The Studio, in addition to an impressively-long list of powerful titles such as the 2016 Best Picture winner The Revenant.

Her nomination recognizes a career built on trust, taste and a deep understanding of how casting shapes narrative momentum.

These first-ever nominations represent more than individual achievement. They mark a shift in how the industry values the creative architects behind performance. Casting directors help define tone, discover voices and shape the emotional language of film.

Congratulations once again to all of the nominees.