Written by Kianna Best on Sep 16, 2022. Posted in Awards and Festivals

Locarno Film Festival announces gender neutral category

The Locarno Film Festival announced that they will be including gender neutral acting categories for their 2023 ceremony. Following the change at the Berlin Film Festival, Locarno is already preparing for the 76th edition, aiming to make the event an inclusive space for all talents.

 

“We believe that the choice we have made will further enhance our efforts to showcase and reward talent and creativity, transcending individual categories that are now obsolete,” commented Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival The world is moving forward on a path that is most definitely non-binary.”

 

 

With the upcoming 76th ceremony, the two major competitions at the event, the Concorso internazionale and Concorso Cineasti del presente, will each present two Pardo awards for best performances. In amending the festival’s regulations, Locarno is opening the competition up to all performers regardless of their gender identity.

 

As society begins to shift towards a more accepting view of non-binary gender representation, the film industry is seemingly following suit with many festivals and awards shows introducing genderless awards for their winners. From the Brit Awards to the Spirit Awards, and many others adopting the inclusivity, the Locarno Awards is yet another step in reshaping the awards structure.

 

 

Locarno Film Festival President Marco Solari added: “As President I welcome this proposal from the Artistic Director and his team, which is perfectly in tune with the changing sensibilities that are necessary today.”

 

Berlin was one of the first European countries to introduce the concept for their film festival in 2020. Instead of gendered awards, the ceremony awarded winners with a Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance and Best Supporting Performance.

 

Images courtesy of Locarno Film Festival

 

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