Oscars Unveil New Stunt Design Award

After a century of being overlooked, the film industry is set to celebrate the artistry of stunt design with a new Oscar category. The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced that an Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will be introduced at the 2028 Oscars. This exciting news was shared on The Academy's social media platforms, featuring iconic scenes from films like 2022's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "RRR," as well as 2011's "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol."

However, fans of these films will have to wait, as only movies released in 2027 and beyond will be eligible for this prestigious award. The 2028 Oscars will not only introduce this new category but will also mark the 100th Academy Awards, adding extra significance to the occasion.

In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their enthusiasm, saying, "Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking. We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion."

The specifics and rules for the new category will be detailed in 2027, ensuring a smooth integration into the Oscars ceremony.

The introduction of an Oscar for stunt design is a landmark achievement, culminating years of advocacy for recognition of stunt work in the film industry. The Oscars typically consider new categories only once a year, and although a category for stunt coordination was proposed annually from 1991 to 2012, it never gained approval.

The most recent addition to the Oscars was the Achievement in Casting category, approved last year and set to debut at the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025. The inclusion of stunt design as an Oscar category underscores the Academy's commitment to acknowledging all facets of cinematic excellence.