International Casting Directors Association

What International Casting Directors Association does

The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) is a Berlin-based global non-profit professional association (eingetragener Verein) serving senior casting directors in film, television, and new media. Founded as an informal network in 1998 under the auspices of European Film Promotion, formally incorporated as the International Casting Directors Network (ICDN) in 2019, and rebranded as ICDA on 1 January 2023, the association has grown to represent members from 35+ countries. Eligibility requires at least 5 years of independent full-time casting experience, at least 3 international co-productions, and 3 written recommendations from existing members, with the Board retaining discretion to admit candidates from underrepresented groups or geographies on a case-by-case basis. Revenue is generated primarily through €150 annual membership fees.

ICDA's core offerings center on community, standards, and recognition rather than software products. Its flagship programs include the Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting (established 2016, renamed 2020), presented annually at international film festivals; the newly launched European Casting Director Award (January 2026) with the European Film Academy; and a suite of protocols covering the Code of Conduct, Best-Practice Casting Guidelines for Nudity and Sexual Content (available in 14 languages), a Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms (May 2026). Operational infrastructure relies on standard third-party tools (Stripe for payments, SurveyMonkey for member feedback, YouTube/Vimeo for video, WordPress for the website) rather than proprietary technology.

The association operates through an event-led and partnership-driven model, with active presence at Berlinale, Locarno, Sarajevo, Tallinn, Torino, Tirana, Thessaloniki, Cannes, and Karlovy Vary, where it hosts panels, workshops, and masterclasses. Core strategic partners include European Film Promotion (the historical anchor), the European Film Academy, IMDbPro (which grants ICDA members access to IMDbPro Premium), Spotlight, and Filmmakers Europe, alongside a federated network of 11+ national casting director organizations that have formally endorsed ICDA's AI guidelines. The association is governed by an elected Executive Board (President, Secretary, Treasurer) and an Advisory Board with regional representation, and is operationally led by President Lana Veenker (elected September 2024) for the 2024-2026 term.

Name

International Casting Directors Association

Legal name

International Casting Directors Association e.V.

Website

https://the-icda.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ICDA is a Berlin-based global non-profit professional association of senior casting directors spanning 35+ countries, providing membership services, professional standards including AI guidelines, and hosting the Semiramis and European Casting Director awards at international film festivals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Talent Casting & Auditions (Casting Directors, Open Calls) (HSACAHAL)

Keywords

• Professional casting association
• Casting director network
• Film industry membership
• Casting standards guidelines
• International film awards

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) is a Berlin-based, registered non-profit professional association for film and television casting directors. It sells paid membership (€150/year) to vetted casting directors from 35+ countries and delivers annual awards programmes (Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting and the European Casting Director Award), professional guidelines (Code of Conduct, AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms, Nudity/Intimacy Casting Guidelines, DEI Statement), and educational workshops/panels held at international film festivals.

Product overview

The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) operates as a global professional membership organization rather than a software product company. Its core offerings consist of: the Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting (an annual international award programme with associated festival workshops and masterclasses); the new European Casting Director Award (launched 2026); professional membership services with annual fees; and standards/guidelines including AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms, Code of Conduct, Best-Practice Casting Guidelines for Nudity and Sexual Content, and a Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. ICDA also partners with casting platforms like IMDbPro, Spotlight, and Filmmakers Europe to provide member benefits and advance the casting profession.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting: The annual award established by ICDA to recognize outstanding achievements in casting by casting directors. Originally called the ICDA Award for Excellence in Casting (2016-2019), renamed to Semiramis Award in 2020.

Products and services

• ICDA Membership

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IMDbProcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIMDBPro and ICDA partnered to accelerate the global casting process. The collaboration gives ICDA members access to IMDbPro Premium to discover talent and cast projects from around the world. ICDA presents quarterly interview series in partnership with IMDbPro shining light on casting directors.
• SpotlightcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-time supporter of ICDA. Partners with ICDA for award ceremonies, panels, and events at international film festivals including FOCUS London, Thessaloniki, and Berlinale. Supports membership application process.
• Filmmakers EuropecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners with ICDA for events and award presentations at film festivals including Tirana International Film Festival and Thessaloniki Film Festival. Actively shapes how AI technologies are responsibly used in casting.
• European Film Promotion (EFP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partner for European Shooting Stars programme at Berlinale. ICDA members meet Shooting Stars at Berlinale annually. ICDA was originally established under the auspices of EFP through 2018.
• European Film AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the first European Casting Director Award launched in 2026. ICDA hosted reception at Dorint Hotel Berlin celebrating the launch on January 16, 2026, prior to the European Film Awards.
• Bundesverband Casting (BVC) - GermanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Association des Directeur.rice.s de Casting (ARDA) - FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Casting Directors Guild (CDG) - UKmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK casting directors guild that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Unione Italiana Casting Directors (UICD) - ItalymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Asociación Profesional de Dirección de Casting de España (APDICE) - SpainmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Polish Casting Directors Guild - PolandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Casting Directors of SwedenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Dutch Casting SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Verband Österreichischer Casting Directors (VOeCD) - AustriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Casting Guild of AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• Casting Directors Society of CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian national casting director organization that has voiced strong support for ICDA's AI Guidelines for Casting Platforms.
• LumiCupminorOthersSupplied ICDA cups for the reception celebrating the launch of the European Casting Director Award in Berlin in January 2026.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Film Academy: The continental body that launched the inaugural European Casting Director Award in partnership with ICDA in 2026. Comparable as a peer-level industry association that confers awards and represents creative professionals across Europe, and a direct strategic partner to ICDA.
• Casting Society of America (CSA): The principal US-based professional association for casting directors in film, television, and new media. Directly comparable to ICDA in mission (advancing the casting profession, setting standards, hosting awards via the Artios Awards) but with a primarily North American focus versus ICDA's global remit.

Broad incumbents

• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE): A large labor union representing entertainment industry craftspeople, with which ICDA interacts at the industry-governance level. Comparable as a broader entertainment-industry professional body with a representational mandate, though for crew rather than casting.
• British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA): UK-based academy that introduced the BAFTA for Best Casting, an outcome ICDA actively drove. Comparable as a global/regional incumbent that confers industry recognition and is closely aligned with ICDA's awards agenda.
• European Film Promotion (EFP): The international network of European film promotion organizations under whose auspices ICDA was originally established through 2018, and with which ICDA continues to co-run the Shooting Stars programme at Berlinale. Comparable as a pan-European film industry umbrella body and historical parent organization.
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: The body administering the Academy Awards, including the new Academy Award for Best Casting (2026) that ICDA was instrumental in establishing. Comparable as the apex recognition body for film professionals, of which casting directors are now a fully integrated constituency.

Others

• Spotlight: The leading casting platform/talent database used by ICDA to host member profiles and co-present awards. Comparable as an infrastructure provider that supports the casting director workflow ICDA's members depend on.
• IMDbPro: The industry-facing talent and film database partnered with ICDA to provide members with Premium access for global casting. Comparable as a tier-1 enabling platform adjacent to ICDA's network.

Regional players

• Bundesverband Casting (BVC): The German national casting director association and an active ICDA partner endorsing ICDA's AI Guidelines. Comparable as a peer-level professional association with the same membership-and-standards mission, but operating within a single national market rather than ICDA's global remit.
• Casting Directors Guild (CDG) - UK & Ireland: The UK casting directors guild, a key endorser of ICDA's AI Guidelines. Directly comparable in mission (advancing casting standards, representing members) but scoped to a single country/region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theicdn
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_icda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-casting-directors-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Casting Directors Association