FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2017 BC’s Leo Awards Makes a Historic Move in Canada’s Film & TV Industry for Accepting Gender-Fluid Performer in Both Male and Female Performance Categories Star of short film Limina gender-fluid eleven-year old Vancouver actor Ameko Eks Mass Carroll is being submitted into both Male and Female Performance categories for the Leo Awards. In a historic move, The Leo Awards, a Project of the Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia, has set a precedent in the Canadian Film and Television industry by accepting a gender-fluid performer’s request to be submitted into both Male and Female performance categories. "We are proud to join our colleagues at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognizing the importance of inclusivity when honouring artistic excellence" says Walter Daroshin, Chair of the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of British Columbia and President of the Leo Awards.” Ameko Eks Mass Carroll, an eleven year-old Vancouver performer, stars in the short film entitled Limina, directed and produced by Vancouver-based filmmakers Florian Halbedl and Joshua M. Ferguson. Ameko plays gender- fluid protagonist, Alessandra, in Limina and also identifies as gender-fluid and uses he/him/his pronouns. Ameko identifies as a boy and other days as a girl and some days as neither. The filmmakers have submitted Ameko’s performance into both Male and Female Performance categories for the Leo Awards. Ameko says, “I would love to give the Leo Awards a ginormous thanks for making people under the trans umbrella feel more welcomed in the world. The courage that I got being on the set of Limina showed me that I should always feel confident the way I am and that I should not hide the truth.” Ameko’s mother, Amber Carroll, supports Ameko’s decision to be submitted into both male and female performance categories and states, “Ameko feels that being accepted in both categories is the next step towards letting people know how he feels confined by gender binary categories. Ameko finds the separation of boys and girls to be very frustrating not only in the field of acting but also when it comes to sports & recreational activities.” The Leo Awards decision follows a similar precedent set in the U.S. last year when gender-fluid identified Kelly Mantle became the first performer to be submitted into both male and female performance categories at the Academy Awards. And, The National Geographic’s January issue entitled “Gender Revolution” articulates the shifting landscape of gender, especially in the younger generation. Joshua M. Ferguson, one of Limina’s directors and producers, identifies as a non-binary trans person and one of the film’s purposes is to make a cultural intervention to highlight trans diversity. 1 Ferguson states, “as a non-binary filmmaker, it is especially encouraging that the Leo Awards is acknowledging gender-fluid performers by making history with this decision. This is a clear statement to the Canadian Film and TV industry, and the general public, in recognizing the importance of gender diversity inclusivity. Trans people make significant contributions both behind and in front of the camera and they need to be seen and heard. It is an affirming moment for trans youth and adults, especially younger performers entering into the industry unaware of how they will fit with their non-binary identity. The Leos are now at the forefront in an industry that should always strive for representing diversity. Hopefully this decision will open up the important conversation at union levels, other awards, organizations and granting agencies across the country to strive for inclusivity in the industry when it comes to trans people and diversity. We have been moved by the support from notable actors and producers including, Isabella Rossellini, Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time), Jim Michaels (Supernatural) amongst others.” The DGC BC, IATSE 891, IATSE 669, UPCP/ACTRA and ACFC West applaud the Leo awards for promoting and fostering inclusivity of non-binary trans performers and artists through their decision. Limina’s program has been submitted to the Leo Awards for consideration in several craft categories in addition to Ameko for both Male and Female Performance Categories and Chelsey Reist (The 100) as Maria for Female Performance Category. Limina was completed in December 2016, premieres at the Portland Kid’s Film Festival on February 5th and the 21st Kamloops Film Festival on March 5th and there are other global film festival decisions pending. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0V_NRPAmy M For more information, pictures and interviews with the filmmakers and Ameko, contact The Promotion People: Lesley Diana | Founder, President and Publicist | [email protected] | 604.726.5575 2 For Leo Awards inquiries, please contact: Water Daroshin | President, Leo Awards | [email protected] | 604.990.9020 Social Media Handles & Links Website: www.liminafilm.com Twitter: @joshuamferguson, @florianhalbedl , @amekoemcarroll, @chelseyreist Facebook: facebook.com/liminafilm Kelly Mantle and the Academy Award: (http://variety.com/2016/film/awards/oscars-gender-fluid-actor-kelly-mantle-1201938597/ ). The National Geographic’s Gender Revolution issue: (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/national-geographic-transgender- cover_us_5852d77de4b054eeaea229c0). ###35 3 .