It has recently been announced that the Stunt Design award will recognize the performers, designers, and coordinators who work hard to make sure action sequences look flawless onscreen.
In addition to the Best Stunt Design category, the Academy previously announced the addition of a Best Achievement in Casting category, which will make its debut even sooner. Best Casting will be recognized at the next Oscars ceremony in 2026 for films released this year. These two new awards are the result of years of hard work and campaigning by individuals across the industry who deserve recognition. It is a huge win for people who work on stunts and casting, but there is one other award the Academy should consider adding too.
The Oscars Should Add A Breakthrough Performance Category Next
There Are Many Deserving Young Performers
In addition to the categories of Best Stunt Design and Best Achievement in Casting, the Oscars should consider adding a category for Best Breakout Performance to honor young, up-and-coming stars. A Breakthrough Performance category would be perfect to give recognition to actors just entering the industry or starring in their first leading role. In fact, the category would be very similar to the BAFTAs Rising Star Award, which has been given to some of the best young actors of recent years.
“We’ve Come A Long Way”: John Wick Director Celebrates Oscars Stunt Category Addition
John Wick extraordinaire Chad Stahelski praises the Academy for their recent decision to include a Best Stunt Design award at the 100th Oscars.
The BAFTA Rising Star Award's winners include David Jonnson, Emma Mackey, Daniel Kaluuya, Tom Holland, and more of the biggest names in Hollywood right now. Nominees for the award, like Mikey Madison, Aimee Lou Wood, Ayo Edebiri, Jacob Elordi, and more, have fared just as well. Other award ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, have had breakthrough awards in the past, showing how the additional category could definitely work within the Oscars ceremony.
A Breakthrough Performance Oscar Could Replace The Scrapped Juvenile Award
The Juvenile Award Was Last Awarded 64 Years Ago
It is the perfect time for the Oscars to consider such an award, especially as it would also make up for the loss of the Juvenile Oscar Award. The Academy Juvenile Award was first given to Shirley Temple in 1935 and continued to be presented to young performers sporadically until 1961. The honorary award was never a full category, but it did highlight impressive performances by children who might not have received Oscar nominations otherwise.
Adding a Breakthrough Performance Award could give younger performers a chance to be recognized for their hard work without having to compete with adults who are much more experienced.
While minors can be nominated in the regular acting categories, they often are not. Currently, only three minors have won Best Acting Awards at the Oscars. Adding a Breakthrough Performance Award could give younger performers a chance to be recognized for their hard work without having to compete with adults who are much more experienced. Entering the acting world as a child or even a young adult is incredibly difficult, and the Oscars should recognize performers who are able to make their mark at a young age.
