AMSTERDAM, August 19 – The main film awards in the Netherlands will from this year only reward the best acting performance in a leading and supporting role, instead of awarding separate prizes to male and female actors.
The move aims to make the Golden Calf awards – named after the small golden statues presented to winners – more inclusive, organizers said Thursday.
“We want to unite all creators, regardless of background or gender,” said Jenny Booms, director of the Dutch Film Academy. “The rewards at the end are for crafting.”
Improving gender equality in filmmaking has been a topic of discussion for years, as awards and major festivals have come under scrutiny due to the low number of female directors vying for the best. price.
In 2017, the MTV Movie and TV Awards introduced gender-neutral acting awards, but major awards such as the Academy and Emmy Awards still separate acting performances between men and women.
The Dutch actors’ association ACT said it welcomed the move, which it said could help make the awards more inclusive and promote diversity.
The Golden Calves have been awarded annually since 1981 for the best Dutch film and the best Dutch directors and actors of the past year.
