Over the years, the sensibilities of society evolve impacting on multiple aspects of our reality, which includes an environment so, a priori, mundane and superficial as film festivals and film and television award ceremonies. Events that, like everything in life, are progressively adapting to the current times.
The importance of representation
However, and despite the good will and advances of competitions such as San Sebastián or awards such as the Grammys, there is still a lot to be done in terms of representation of non-binary people. Emma Corrin, who received a best actress nomination for her role as Diana of Wales in ‘The Crown,’ have talked about this issue in an interview with BBC.
Corrin, non-binary person, has advocated for gender neutral awardsexpressing his “hope it happens in the future” and stating that he does not believe “that the categories are inclusive enough at this time”. As he explained, in the end, it all comes down to “everyone can feel comfortable and represented”.
This lack of neutral categories can be a conflict for people like Corrinwho argued his particular situation in this way:
“For me, it’s hard trying to justify in my head being non-binary and receiving nominations in female categories. In regards to categories, do we need to specify if you’re receiving a nomination for a male or female role?”
The interpreter, who has recently participated in the well-received ‘My Police’ by Michael Grandage, has theorized about the scenario that could resolve the conflict.
“You can discuss awards and representation, but the conversation needs to really be about the material, about the content that we’re seeing for non-binary people, for queer people, for trans people, because I think that would change a lot the things. When those roles emerge, when there are more people and more actors and actresses playing those roles, I think then these issues will be addressed with more urgency.”
At the moment, various organizations, such as those responsible for the Baftas or the Oscars, have made public their intention to work on the issuehaving declared the first to be “committed to proactive and thoughtful consultation on the issue”.