The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) today announced the nominees for the 2026 Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting. The award will be presented during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 8 July 2026.
The Semiramis Award celebrates the creative contribution of casting directors, whose work is fundamental to discovering talent, shaping performances, and bringing stories to life. It recognises outstanding achievement in casting among films nominated by ICDA members in participating countries. Every year, members in each country select a single film to represent their national casting community. An international jury of casting directors then narrows the submissions to five nominees, plus one additional Wild Card nominee. The Wild Card selection provides an opportunity to recognise exceptional casting work that may not fit neatly within a single country’s submission.
“These six nominees represent some of the most exciting and accomplished casting work of the past year,” said Lana Veenker, President of the International Casting Directors Association. “Each has demonstrated exceptional creativity, insight, and collaboration in building ensembles that elevate storytelling and bring filmmakers’ visions to life. Celebrating their achievements at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a fitting tribute to the outstanding calibre of this year’s nominees.”
Kryštof Mucha, the Festival Executive Director of Karlovy Vary International Film Festival welcomes the opportunity to host the 2026 Semiramis Award: “Casting directors play a vital role in shaping the films we admire, discovering talent, building unforgettable ensembles, and helping bring filmmakers’ visions to life. We are pleased to welcome the ICDA Awards to Karlovy Vary during our landmark 60th edition and to celebrate the remarkable contribution casting professionals make to cinema. Their presence at the festival strengthens the dialogue between casting directors, filmmakers, and the Central European film industry, while offering greater insight into one of the most creative and influential aspects of filmmaking.”
Each year, the ICDA organises casting-related panels, masterclasses, and other events around its Semiramis Award celebrations. The full programme of activities in Karlovy Vary will be announced over the coming days.
Nominees for the 2026 Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting
Lena Paaske
WEIGHTLESS (VÆGTLØS) (Denmark, 2025)
Directed by Emilie Thalund
Stéphane Batut
NOUVELLE VAGUE (France, 2025)
Directed by Richard Linklater
Stavros Raptis
PATTY IS SUCH A GIRLY NAME (Greece, 2026)
Directed by Giorgos Georgopoulos
Amy Rowan
CHRISTY (Ireland, 2025)
Directed by Brendan Canty
Simon Borka Otterstål
KEVLARSJÄL / KEVLAR SOUL (Sweden, 2025)
Directed by Maria Eriksson-Hecht
Nikki Barrett
BRING HER BACK (Wild Card Selection, 2025)
Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICDA members on this year’s award committee: Ellen S. Michelsen, Maurilio Mangano, Hermina Fatyol, Ulrike Müller, Catrin Wideryd, Nancy Bishop, Florentina Bratfanof, Tusse Lande, Armando Pizzuti, Kirijana Nikoloska, Donna Morong, Harika Uygur, David Färdmar, Susanne Ritter, and Dalia Survilaite.
