Oscars to Finally Add Best Stunt Design Award

After a century of being overlooked, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finally decided to introduce a long-awaited stunt design category to the Oscars. The Board of Governors announced that the Academy Award for achievement in stunt design will be awarded starting from the 2028 Oscars. The announcement was made via The Academy's social media platforms, featuring images from notable 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 coincide with the 100th Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone for the event.

In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their pride in honoring the innovative work of stunt designers. They praised the technical and creative artists for their commitment and dedication, which have led to this momentous occasion. Further details and rules regarding the new category will be announced in 2027.

The introduction of an Oscar for stunt design is a major achievement in the ongoing struggle for recognition of stunt work in cinema. The Oscars have historically been slow to introduce new categories, with proposals for a stunt coordination category being rejected annually from 1991 to 2012. The most recent addition to the Oscars was the Achievement in Casting category, approved last year and set to begin with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.