Greek-born casting director Cassandra Kulukundis makes Oscar history with first Best Casting award

A historic first for casting directors

The Academy devoted a significant segment of the ceremony to the new category, inviting actors from each nominated film to introduce the contenders. Paul Mescal (“Hamnet”), Gwyneth Paltrow (“Marty Supreme”), Chase Infinity (“One Battle After Another”), Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”) and Delroy Lindo (“Sinners”) each praised their film’s casting before presenting the award together.

Paltrow opened the envelope and announced Kulukundis’ name, prompting visible surprise from the veteran casting director. She celebrated with Anderson with a quick high-five before heading to the stage, where she embraced Infinity — an actor she cast after what she described as a years-long search.

“This is for the casting directors”

In her acceptance speech, Kulukundis thanked the Academy for introducing the category and paid tribute to casting professionals who had long campaigned for recognition.

“Obviously I have to thank the Academy for adding this category, but also the casting directors who fought tirelessly to make it happen,” she said. “I dedicate this award to those who never had the opportunity to be nominated — or even to see their name in the film’s credits. This is for you.”

She also thanked Anderson, joking about the secrecy surrounding his projects.

“When Paul Thomas Anderson calls you, you basically enter the PTA witness protection program,” she said. “We’ve been doing this for years. We grew up together in this business. And somehow I already have an Oscar ahead of you — which is incredible.”

Anderson’s Oscar follows

Later in the ceremony, Anderson won his first Academy Award, taking the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for One Battle After Another to a standing ovation.

Kulukundis has collaborated with Anderson on several of his films, including Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood, The Master, Phantom Thread, Inherent Vice and Licorice Pizza.

Her broader credits include The Brutalist, The Greatest Hits, Gossip Girl, Vox Lux, Her, Breach, Shattered Glass and Ghost World.

For One Battle After Another, Kulukundis drew particular praise for pairing first-time and non-professional actors with established Oscar winners such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro — a casting approach highlighted during the award presentation.