Independent Spirit Awards make acting awards gender neutral in 2023

foxnews.com:

The Film Independent Spirit Awards will now feature gender-neutral film and television acting categories ahead of its 2023 show.

In addition to the new terms, and "in response to rising costs of production," the nonprofit also raised its budget cap by nearly $8 million to $30 million, the organization said Tuesday. "We’re thrilled to join the other festivals and award shows that are already moving to celebrate great acting without reference to gender," Josh Welsh, Film Independent's president, said in a release.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are moving to include gender-neutral categories. (Jordan Strauss) "We’re also happy to welcome non-binary performers into the Spirit Awards without forcing them to choose to identify as male or female." Welsh added: "Additionally, it has been a long time since we substantially increased the budget limit for eligibility.This new cap allows us to continue to celebrate the same breadth of work that we have in the past." The Spirit Awards honors smaller budget, independent films and is known for its starry, freewheeling ceremony that's part of the awards season leading to the Academy Awards.

It joins several prominent awards organizations that have made the switch to non-gendered awards, including the Grammys, the Gotham Awards and the MTV Movie & TV Awards.