The casting community is gearing up for a significant celebration as the 41st Annual Artios Awards approach on February 26th. This year’s event, taking place simultaneously in Los Angeles, New York, and London, will honor the often-unsung heroes behind the scenes – the casting directors who shape the ensembles we see on screen. Adding to the star power of the ceremonies, Oscar winners Marcia Gay Harden and Marlee Matlin are set to present at the Los Angeles event, alongside Star Wars icon Mark Hamill.
The Artios Awards hold particular weight this year, coinciding with a landmark moment for the profession. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will, for the first time, recognize casting as a competitive category at the Oscars. This acknowledgment underscores the vital role casting directors play in bringing compelling stories to life, and the Artios Awards serve as a dedicated celebration of their craft.
Harvey Guillén, known for his role in What We Do in the Shadows, will host the Los Angeles ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Joining Harden, Matlin, and Hamill as presenters will be François Arnaud (Heated Rivalry), Garret Caillouet (The Circle), Supriya Ganesh (The Pitt), Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid’s Tale), Camryn Manheim (The Practice), Skye P. Marshall (Matlock), and Oscar nominee Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners).
New York and London Celebrations
The celebration extends across the Atlantic. Emmy winner Jeff Hiller will host the New York ceremony at the Edison Ballroom, with presenters including Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club), Zach Cherry (Severance), Sepideh Moafi (Blackbird), Tony winner Francis Jue (Yellow Face), Carmen Ejogo (The Penguin), Li Jun Li (Sinners), Luke Manley (Marty Supreme), Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Hacks), Tony Vlachos (Survivor), and Zoë Winters (Materialists). Javier Muñoz (Hamilton) will present the Marion Dougherty NY Apple Award to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) will present the NY Associate Spotlight Award.
Across the pond, Emmy winner Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) will host the London ceremony at One Moorgate Place. Presenters include Jade Croot (Rabbit Trap), Ebada Hassan (Brides), Polly Maberly (Odyssey), Tegan-Mia Stanley Rhoads (Lollipop), Posy Sterling (Lollipop), Connor Tompkins (The Son and the Sea), and Jonah West (The Son and the Sea).
Recognizing Excellence in Casting
Beyond the presenters, the Artios Awards will also honor individuals for their contributions to the field. Hannah Jones (What It Feels Like for a Girl) will present GAP Workshops with the Global Impact Award, and Jamie Dornan (Belfast) will present casting director Kate Rhodes James with the Capelier-Shaw Award for Excellence in Casting.
The nominations themselves reflect a diverse range of projects. In the Big-Budget Drama category, the nominees are Bugonia, F1: The Movie, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Sinners. For Big-Budget Comedy, the contenders include Jay Kelly, Materialists, The Naked Gun, The Phoenician Scheme, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and Wicked: For Good. The Studio or Independent Drama field features Blue Moon, Eleanor the Great, Nuremberg, Pillion, Sentimental Value, and Train Dreams.
The 41st Annual Artios Awards promise to be a memorable evening, celebrating the artistry and dedication of casting professionals at a pivotal moment for the industry. As the Academy Awards prepare to recognize casting as an official category, the Artios Awards reaffirm the importance of these crucial collaborators in the filmmaking process.
The awards ceremonies will undoubtedly highlight the impact of skilled casting on the success of both critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects. With the growing recognition of their contributions, casting directors are poised to take their rightful place as essential creative forces in the entertainment landscape.
What are your thoughts on the Academy finally recognizing casting as a distinct art form? Share your opinions in the comments below!
