At the 2026 Oscars held on a Sunday night, Brazilian actor Wagner Moura presented the newly introduced category of Best Casting alongside Paul Mescal, Chase Infiniti, Delroy Lindo, and Gwyneth Paltrow, each representing films nominated in the category. Moura dedicated much of his speech to praise Gabriel Domingues, the casting director of 'The Secret Agent,' a film set in Brazil during the late 1970s. He emphasized the importance of selecting actors whose appearances accurately reflected the era depicted in the film.

In his heartfelt discourse, Moura highlighted Domingues' meticulous effort in casting, stating, "You found the right faces. You did this with such care and attention, both for smaller and larger roles. This has given immeasurable life to our film." The speech underlined the sometimes-overlooked art of casting and how essential it is in bringing a historical narrative to life. Importantly, Moura concluded by expressing a simple yet poignant "congratulations" in Portuguese, emphasizing his pride in Brazilian representation at this prestigious event.

The establishment of the Best Casting category at the Oscars signifies a growing recognition of the role of casting directors in the filmmaking process and how pivotal they are in shaping narratives on screen. By spotlighting this category, the Academy acknowledges the diverse contributions of international talents and enhances the visibility of cultural representation in cinema, as seen through the lens of Moura's reflections on Brazilian filmmaking.