LOS ANGELES — January 6, 2026 — The Cinema Audio Society (CAS) announced today that award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer, and pop-culture enthusiast Chris Hardwick will host the 62nd Annual CAS Awards on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton.
“We are delighted to welcome Chris Hardwick as host of this year’s awards,” said Peter Kurland, President of the Cinema Audio Society. “His long history in television, comedy, podcasting, and live production gives him a deep appreciation for the craft of sound. We’re excited to celebrate our community with an evening that blends entertainment, humor, and heartfelt recognition of the people who bring audio to life for film and television.”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to present at the ceremony in the past, and I am honored to be hosting this year,” said Hardwick. “I greatly admire the artistry and precision behind sound mixing, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating the Cinema Audio Society in March!”
Hardwick is best known as the quick-witted host of the two-time Emmy Award–winning Comedy Central series @midnight, which ran for 600 episodes. He recently returned to podcasting with I Think You’re Overthinking It, a reimagining of his long-running podcast that explores creativity, anxiety, overthinking, and what it means to pursue meaningful goals in a noisy, always-on world.
Hardwick also currently hosts NBC’s hit competition series The Wall, returning in January 2026, where he serves as executive producer alongside LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Andrew Glassman. His additional hosting credits include the Emmy-nominated Talking Dead and the CW’s Up for Auction. A prolific touring stand-up comedian, he continues to perform across the United States. Hardwick lives in California with his wife, Lydia, and their daughter, Dimity.
The CAS Awards honor Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing across seven categories, recognizing the exceptional work of sound professionals in film and television. Voting is currently underway to determine recipients of the coveted awards, which will be bestowed at the gala ceremony; a record number of submissions were received. The CAS Student Recognition Award, Career Achievement Award, and Filmmaker Awards will also be presented during the ceremony.
As previously announced, Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water) will receive the Cinema Audio Society Filmmaker Award, and sound mixer Skip Lievsay CAS (Gravity, No Country for Old Men, True Grit, The Silence of the Lambs) will be honored with the prestigious CAS Career Achievement Award.
For additional information about CAS or the CAS Awards, visit cinemaaudiosociety.org.
About the CAS Awards:
The 62nd CAS Awards will honor Outstanding Achievements in Sound Mixing in seven categories: Motion Pictures – Live Action, Motion Pictures – Animated, Motion Pictures – Documentary, Non-Theatrical Motion Pictures or Limited Series, Television Series – One Hour, Television Series – Half Hour and Television Non-Fiction, Variety or Music – Series or Specials. The CAS Student Recognition Award, Career Achievement Award, and Filmmaker Awards will also be presented.
About the Cinema Audio Society:
The Cinema Audio Society was formed in 1964 for the purpose of sharing information with Sound Professionals in the Motion Picture and Television Industry.
The objectives of the CAS are: to educate and inform the general public and the motion picture & television industry that effective sound is achieved by a creative, artistic and technical blending of diverse sound elements; to provide the motion picture & television industry with a progressive society of master craftsmen specialized in the art of creative cinematic sound recording; to advance the specialized field of cinematic sound recording by exchange of ideas, methods, and information; to advance the art of auditory appreciation and to philanthropically support those causes dedicated to the sense of hearing; to institute and maintain high standards of conduct and craftsmanship among our members; to aid the motion picture & television industry in the selection and training of qualified personnel in the unique field of cinematic sound recording and to achieve for our members deserved recognition as major contributors to the field of motion picture & television entertainment.
Visit CinemaAudioSociety.org for more information.
For CAS Awards Sponsorship, Advertising and Tickets: IngleDodd Media Awards Department CASawards@IngleDodd.com or call 310-207-4410 x245
For general inquiries, contact CASOffice@CinemaAudioSociety.org.
For press and media inquiries, contact ignite strategic communications at spencer@ignite.bz or chris@ignite.bz.