Casting directors are some of the most important creatives in entertainment but have never been celebrated as such on Hollywood’s biggest night. “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. The casting directors' branch was created in July 2013 and currently has nearly 160 members. Photos You Should See View All 15 Images“This award is a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors’ exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch,” said Academy Casting Directors Branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane in a statement. Casting directors, and stunt performers, have long lobbied for an Oscar category to recognize their specific contributions to film.

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Persons: Oscar ”, Bill Kramer, Janet Yang, ’, ”, Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor, Coleman, Debra Zane Organizations: Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, “, Academy, ”