Television Academy announces Emmy rule changes, bringing more gender options to nomination categories

Image Television Academy

JUNE 27, 2021 - Last week, the Television Academy Board of Governors enacted two new rule changes for the annual Emmy Awards, starting later this year. News of these changes reached us through a report from Deadline.

The first change relates to gender-specific awards. According to the Television Academy, “nominees and (or) winners in any performer category titled ‘Actor’ or ‘Actress’ may request that their nomination certificate and Emmy statuette carry the term ‘Performer’ in place of Actor or Actress.” In the announcement, the Television Academy also noted that those same categories have “[never] had a gender requirement for submissions.” The new option for performers will be made available beginning with the 2021 award season. Deadline noted that the change comes as demand has risen for non-binary awards. Events such as the Berlin Film Festival and The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA) Dorian TV Awards have already committed to presenting gender-neutral awards in their upcoming ceremonies.

The second rule change amends the eligibility for certain films and documentaries to be nominated for an Emmy. Under the new rules, “any film placed on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences viewing platform will be deemed a theatrical motion picture and thus ineligible for the Emmy competition.” In other words, if a documentary is eligible for an Oscar, it is no longer allowed to be nominated for an Emmy. In the past, documentary films such as Free Solo and O.J.: Made in America were able to take home awards from both organizations. This new rule change will prevent that from happening, beginning with Emmy nominations in 2022.

Primetime Emmy nominations for 2021 will be announced on July 13th, with the awards ceremony planned for September 21st.