The numbers
Nina Gold was nominated for the Best Casting award for her work on the acclaimed film Hamnet, but ultimately lost to Cassandra Kulukundis, who won the first-ever Oscar for casting for her work on One Battle After Another.
The recognition of casting directors has been a significant development in the film industry, with the British Film Academy introducing a casting award in 2020. This year, Gold was nominated alongside other notable casting directors including Jennifer Venditti, Francine Maisler, and Gabriel Domingues.
Cassandra Kulukundis, who has been a casting director for over 30 years, expressed her gratitude to the Academy for adding the casting category. “I dedicate this to you and to the casting directors who never got a chance to receive such an award,” she stated during her acceptance speech. Kulukundis has worked extensively with director Paul Thomas Anderson, casting almost all of his films since Magnolia.
In her speech, Kulukundis thanked Anderson for their long collaboration, saying, “When Paul Thomas Anderson calls you, you enter the PTA witness protection programme.” She reflected on their journey together, remarking, “I just want to thank you for 10 movies. We’ve done this for years; we grew up together, I guess, and this is freaking insane.”
The Best Picture award also went to One Battle After Another, further solidifying its success at the ceremony. Kulukundis’s win marks a milestone in the recognition of casting directors, who play a crucial role in shaping the performances and overall quality of films.
Observers note that the introduction of the casting award is a significant step towards acknowledging the vital contributions of casting directors in the filmmaking process. As the industry continues to evolve, the impact of such awards may lead to more opportunities and recognition for casting professionals.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding future changes to award categories, but the success of Kulukundis and the recognition of Gold’s nomination highlight the growing importance of casting in the film industry.