Non-Binary Child Actor Submits in Leo Awards' Male & Female Categories

11-year-old non-binary actor Ameko Eks Mass Carroll will be eligible for both male and female acting nominations at the Leo Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Carroll starred this past year in the indie short Limina,which follows the story of a gender-fluid child named Alessandra. She said in a statement, "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 Leo Awards (Canadian Oscars) follow in the footsteps of the Academy, which allowed last year Kelly Mantle to submit for consideration in both actor and actress categories for the film Confessions of a Womanizer. "We are proud to join our colleagues at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognizing the importance of inclusivity when honoring artistic excellence," said Walter Daroshin, Chair of the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of British Columbia and President of the Leo Awards.

Limina's co-director Joshua Ferguson, who identifies as a non-binary trans person, said of the Leos choice: "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."

Related | Second Transgender Oscar Nominee Won't Be Attending the Ceremony

In the Academy Awards' entire history, only two trans people have ever been nominated for film's highest honor--the composer Angela Morley and the musician Anohni, who boycotted the 2016 Oscars for their lack of diversity.

Watch the trailer for Limina, directed by Ferguson and Florian Halbedl, below.