Two prolific intimacy coordinators have called on prestigious film and TV awards to recognise the role that has become crucial to modern movie-making. Mam Smith, one of most sought-after intimacy coordinators in Hollywood who most recently worked with Zendaya on the racy tennis drama Challengers , and award-winning adult filmmaker Erika Lust , who champions sex-positive porn, called professional recognition of the role of intimacy coordinators in key awards ceremonies like the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys . Lust told The Hollywood Reporter that the job role should be recognised alongside music directors, script writers and actors.
“They just got casting included as a category,” said Lust, pointing towards the Academy’s February announcement that “best casting” will be introduced into the nominations from 2026 onwards. Lust suggested that “Best Intimacy Coordinator” should be considered as a future category. “How many years were people lobbying for that? I think it would be great [for intimacy coordinators] to get recognition.
For that to happen, I think we have to change the equality in this industry,” Lust added. Employed to help ensure the consent and safety of performers while filming scenes that involve sex or nudity, the role of intimacy coordinators is a relatively new post-#MeToo phenomenon that has become increasingly commonplace across the film and TV industries. Smith, who was ensuring the consent of performers in the steamy film Challengers , a.
