Pearson Casting for ‘Starlight Express’, Ali Fearnley and Hannah Birkett Casting among the CDA Award winners.
The winners of the Casting Directors Association (CDA) Awards 2025 have been announced at a ceremony at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, hosted by the hilarious Lou Sanders. The awards, created to celebrate the crucial yet often under-appreciated work of the casting director, honour the exceptional achievements of casting in film, television, new media and live performance.
A couple of casting directors secured multiple wins on the night. Ali Fearnley was a dominant force, taking home three awards for Best Casting Campaign, Best Casting UK & ROI Commercial and Best Casting Online Commercial. Hannah Birkett Casting also celebrated a double victory, winning both the Best Casting Featuring Children and Best Casting International Commercial awards.
Spotlight was proud to once again sponsor the CDA Awards. Following an incredible year of casting, the atmosphere at the live ceremony was electric as the industry gathered to recognise the talent that brought so many excellent projects to life.
The Winners of the CDA Awards 2025 are:
Best Casting featuring Children
Winner: Hannah Birkett Casting – First School Poo, Andrex
Best Casting Campaign
Winner: Ali Fearnley – Britain’s Tea, Tetley
Best Casting UK & ROI Commercial
Winner: Ali Fearnley – 40 Years of Christmas Magic!, Vodafone
Best Casting Feature Film & Scripted Production
Winner: Shakyra Dowling – Last Swim
Best Casting Live Performance
Winner: Rosie Pearson & James Pearson (Pearson Casting) – Starlight Express, Troubadour, Wembley Park
Best Casting of a Music Promo
Winner: Kharmel Cochrane – Young, Little Simz
Best Casting Short Film
Winner: LANE Casting – Delivery
Best Casting Stills Campaign
Winner: Road Casting – Family Portrait, JD Sports
Best Casting International Commercial
Winner: Hannah Birkett Casting – Your Door to More, Doordash
Best Casting Online Commercial
Winner: Ali Fearnley – Never Just A Period, Libresse
Best Casting Open Media
Winner: Leanne Flinn – Where Clothes Move On, eBay x Love Island Idents
Best Casting of Charity/Public Awareness Commercial
Winner: Thomas Adams Casting – This is Not a Drill, CALM
Best Street Casting
Winner: ET Casting – Made with Care, Department of Health & Social Care
From all of us at Spotlight, a massive congratulations to all the winners and nominees! Take a look at our website for more awards news and industry advice.
