Filmmaker and author Guillermo del Toro will be honoured with The Cinema Audio Society’s (CAS) Filmmaker Award at the 2026 CAS Awards on March 7, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Known for his visually striking and imaginative films, del Toro has directed acclaimed projects including Cronos (1993), Mimic (1997), The Devil’s Backbone (2001), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Hellboy (2004), Pacific Rim (2013), Crimson Peak (2015), and The Shape of Water (2017).
The CAS Filmmaker Award has previously recognised renowned directors such as Denis Villeneuve, J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, and Jon Favreau. CAS President Peter Kurland praised del Toro, saying, The award celebrates directors who truly understand the vital role sound plays in storytelling. Guillermo’s films combine stunning visuals, deep human themes, and masterful sound design to create atmosphere, suspense, and wonder. His collaborations with sound artists elevate every story he tells.
Del Toro expressed his gratitude, stating, Creating audiovisual stories—blending images and sound—requires careful composition and precision to deliver a memorable experience in theatres and at home. Being recognised by my peers and colleagues is a true honour.
Founded in 1964, the Cinema Audio Society honours excellence in sound mixing across seven categories. Del Toro’s recognition highlights his dedication to integrating sound seamlessly with cinematic storytelling, cementing his reputation as one of the most visionary filmmakers of his generation.
