The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a new category to honor achievement in stunt design, set to debut at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. The Board of Governors approved the initiative on behalf of stunt professionals, led by director David Leitch (“Bullet Train,” “Deadpool 2”). The award recognizes the creative and technical work of stunt coordinators, designers, performers, and choreographers.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang praised the stunt community for its dedication, saying, “Stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking since the early days of cinema.” Leitch echoed this sentiment, stating that stunts are essential to every genre of film and rooted in the industry’s history. He thanked the Academy for recognizing their hard work.
The new category is a significant milestone for the stunt community, which has seen increasing recognition in recent years. The Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America approved the first-ever credit of “stunt designer” in 2024. Chad Stahelski (“John Wick”) called it an honor to be part of the industry that has been around since film’s inception.
The inaugural award rules will be announced in 2027, with category specifics determined by the Academy’s Board of Governors and executive leadership at a later date. More than 100 stunt professionals are members of the Academy’s production and technology branch, paving the way for this historic recognition.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/awards/news/oscars-stunt-category-1236366412