In a historic announcement today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed that it will officially introduce a new category for stunt design, starting with films released in 2027. This decision comes in honor of the Oscars 100th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the prestigious awards ceremony. For years, the contributions of stunt performers and stunt coordinators have been overlooked, despite their crucial role in bringing dynamic action sequences to life on the silver screen.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their excitement about this new addition in a joint statement: 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. This statement highlights the importance of recognizing the artistry and skill involved in creating thrilling stunts that captivate audiences.

While the Academy's announcement marks a step forward, details regarding eligibility criteria for the new award category are still pending. According to the press release, The specifics of the awards presentation will be determined by the Academys Board of Governors and executive leadership at a future date. This leaves room for speculation on how films will be evaluated and recognized in this newly established category.

Despite having over 100 stunt workers as members of the Academys Production and Technology Branch, it is noteworthy that only two honorary Oscars have been awarded to stunt performers throughout the organizations history. This disparity underscores the historical neglect of stunt work within the film industry, even as it has evolved into a complex and essential art form. With this new category, there is a strong likelihood that studios will begin to place greater emphasis on the quality and creativity of stunt design in their projects, potentially leading to even more innovative action sequences in mainstream cinema.

As anticipation builds for the introduction of this category, many in the film industry and audiences alike are eager to see how the recognition of stunt design will influence filmmaking moving forward. This change not only acknowledges the hard work of those behind the scenes but also elevates the status of stunt professionals within the cinematic landscape, finally giving them the recognition they deserve.