After a century of being sidelined, a long-awaited stunt design category is finally being added to the Oscars.
The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that an Academy Award for achievement in stunt design will officially begin being awarded starting with the 2028 Oscars. The announcement, shared via The Academy’s social media, was highlighted with images from 2022’s Everything Everywhere All at Once and RRR, as well as 2011’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Unfortunately, these films won't be eligible for the new award, as only movies released in 2027 and onwards will qualify.
The 2028 Oscars will celebrate the 100th Academy Awards.
"Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking," stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang in a joint statement. "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."
Further details and rules for the new category will be communicated in 2027.
The introduction of an Oscar for stunt design represents a significant achievement in the long and arduous battle for recognition of stunt work in film. New categories for the Oscars are considered only once a year. Previously, a category for stunt coordination was proposed annually from 1991 to 2012 but was never approved.
The most recent new category added to the Oscars was Achievement in Casting, approved last year, which will be awarded starting with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.
