Cassandra Kulukundis Secures Historic First Academy Award for Best Casting Achievement

Casting director Cassandra Kulukundis wins the inaugural Oscar for Best Casting for One Battle After Another at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 9:43 AM EDT

Source: AP News

A Milestone Victory for the Casting Profession

The presentation of the inaugural Best Casting trophy at the 2026 Oscars represents a fundamental shift in how the film industry recognizes behind the scenes talent. Cassandra Kulukundis accepted the golden statuette for her extensive work on the action thriller One Battle After Another, a project noted for its massive and diverse ensemble. This new category is the first addition to the Oscars lineup since the Best Animated Feature award was established for the 2001 cinematic year. During her acceptance speech, Kulukundis expressed deep gratitude to the Academy for the long awaited recognition of her craft and dedicated the honor to colleagues who preceded her without the opportunity for such a platform.

The Collaborative Vision Behind the Ensemble

The success of One Battle After Another is deeply rooted in the decades long partnership between Kulukundis and director Paul Thomas Anderson. Having worked together on ten feature films since her start as an intern on the 1996 production Hard Eight, their collaboration has become a hallmark of modern American cinema. Kulukundis highlighted this bond during her speech, noting that the two have essentially grown up together within the industry. The award specifically recognizes her creative process in assembling a cohesive group of actors rather than the individual performances themselves, distinguishing it from traditional acting accolades.

Discovery of New Talent Amidst A-List Giants

While the film features high profile stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall, the casting achievement was bolstered by the discovery of newcomer Chase Infiniti. Kulukundis revealed that she auditioned hundreds of young actors before selecting Infiniti for a pivotal role that served as her feature film debut. This balance of established Academy favorites and fresh faces is a core component of the film’s critical acclaim. The casting process involved managing an ensemble that earned four individual acting nominations, illustrating the director of casting’s role in placing the right talent in positions to succeed.