The five nominees for the first-ever Academy Award for casting director are not comfortable in the spotlight. They toil behind the scenes, often years before a film is actually in production, to assemble a cast that reflects the script and the director’s vision for it. Until recently, they have received little industry recognition. 

“Filmmaking is a collaborative process, and the role of these individuals is integral to any successful film,” said Santa Barbara International Film Festival executive director Roger Durling at Saturday afternoon’s Casting Directors Panel. “The Oscars category is long overdue, and we are proud to have all five of the nominees with us for this panel, also a first.”

Moderated by Gold Derby’s Debra Birnbaum, the session began with an emotional moment when Jennifer Venditti (“Marty Supreme”) recalled casting directors who were underappreciated in their day. 

“They are the people who came before us, who should be sitting here with us,” she said. “It wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t believe we should be called ‘directors’ or even be credited.” 

“We want people to know what we do,” said Cassandra Kulukundis (“One Battle After Another”) with a nervous laugh, “but having the lights on me is a very different thing.” 

Sporting a pair of sunglasses, she relaxed while discussing her longtime collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson, which began in 1999 with “Magnolia.”

“It’s easier in some ways as I know what he wants,” she said. “But I’m always going to movies and the theater, watching TV, and am out on the streets. I’m looking for a face that has not been seen before, or someone from outside the industry, like a musician.”

She cast singer Teyana Taylor for a key role in “One Battle After Another.”

Gabriel Domingues (“The Secret Agent”) said, “We do use non-actors, but maybe a role is played by a professional actor, but doesn’t look like one. We have a range from those who know next to nothing to the professionals, and it works.”

His film is set in the 1970s, when Brazil was under a dictatorship. He recalled his search for an “unpleasant, rude” character when he received an audition video from an actor who came from a Brazilian region known for folkloric clowns. 

“He had been a clown and had a funny face; it had some charm,” said Domingues. “That provided more layers than you would normally expect for that kind of character. It wasn’t obvious, and made for a twist.”

Nina Gold (“Hamnet”) can be considered a “grande dame” of the profession. As early as 2016, she received a BAFTA Special Award at the Television Craft Awards, a first for a casting director.

A five-time Emmy winner (three for “Game of Thrones” and for “John Adams” and “The Crown”), she has been the Casting Director for five films in the “Star Wars” franchise and eight films with director Mike Leigh, among many other movie credits, including last year’s Best Picture nominee “Conclave.”

“For the role of Hamnet, we auditioned Jacobi Jupe a year before, but he was too young,” she said in a soft British accent. “I always had this incredible kid in the back of my mind, but we wanted to be properly thorough. We saw him again, and he just got better. Then his older brother, Noah, came along, and we cast him as his brother.” 

Francine Maisler (“Sinners”) noted the geographic diversity of the panelists.

“It’s wonderful how global we are, with people from London, Brazil, New York, and L.A. It’s a great representation of how international we are,” she said. “We try to give everyone an opportunity, and we reach out everywhere, which is easier with technology these days.”

She recollected that “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler wanted an unknown to play blues guitarist Sammie. 

“I hate to say I discovered Miles Caton,” she said. “He was in Germany on tour opening for singer H.E.R. He was going to be found. Maybe not in acting, but in something. He touches my heart.” 

Venditti added, “I hate being called a Casting ‘Agent,’ like it’s just a logistics thing or I’m on commission. There’s a talent and craft there. I can see the artistry and a signature for each of the people on this panel.” 

She had 150 roles to cast for “Marty Supreme”  and the added pressure of the film being set in the 1950s. 

“We looked at period street photos to get faces that tell the story,” said Venditti. “But we see hundreds of actors. These days, given technology, it is like speed-dating.”

The challenges of that casting process are many and varied, which led to a spirited exchange. 

“Everybody has an opinion on casting, but we’re actually doing it,” said Gold.

“We are collaborating with directors to have them see what we see,” said Domingues. “We have to seduce them to be interested in the way that we are.”

“I’ve said ‘over my dead body,’ a couple of times,” added Maisler, which elicited groans and knowing smiles from the panel.

Kulukundis said, “When they want to go (in a) wrong (direction), I’m on the floor. I say, ‘I’m here to get the best person for the role. Tell me what you want, and I’ll go find them.’” 

Teyana Taylor, a singer cast by Kulukundis as Perfidia in “One Battle After Another” and Chase Infiniti, who plays her daughter Willa, received SBIFF Virtuoso Awards this year. Among the other six Virtuoso award honorees are “Sinners” actor Wunmi Mosaku (cast by Maisler), and Wagner Moura from “The Secret Agent” (cast by Domingues).

On Monday, “One Battle After Another” actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro will receive Cinema Vanguard Awards, and “Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan will be presented with the Outstanding Performer Award on Thursday.