Oscars to Introduce Best Stunt Design Award

After a century of being overlooked, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finally announced the addition of a long-awaited stunt design category to the Oscars. The Board of Governors confirmed that the Academy Award for achievement in stunt design will be officially introduced starting with the 2028 Oscars. The announcement, shared via The Academy's social media, featured iconic images from films such as 2022's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "RRR," as well as 2011's "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol." However, these films will not be eligible for the new award, as only movies released in 2027 and beyond will qualify.

The 2028 Oscars will celebrate the 100th Academy Awards, making the introduction of this category even more significant. In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their pride in honoring the innovative work of stunt designers, acknowledging their vital role in filmmaking since its early days. They also congratulated the stunt community for their dedication and commitment, which has led to this momentous occasion.

Further details and the rules for the new stunt design category will be shared in 2027. The introduction of this Oscar marks a significant milestone in the long and arduous fight for recognition of stunt work in film. The Oscars typically vote on new categories only once a year, and despite annual proposals for a stunt coordination category from 1991 to 2012, it was never approved.

The most recent addition to the Oscars was the Achievement in Casting category, approved last year and set to be awarded starting with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.