The 2018 award season has become less about 'showbiz' and more about raising awareness and supporting the cause of a multitude of movements.
Time's Up has been at the forefront, raising a whopping $20 million in the first month, largely due to actresses banding together, wearing black, and ditching traditional 'what are you wearing' red carpet interviews for 'let's talk about the gender pay gap' and 'sexual harassment and abuse is not okay.'
While the symbolic black dress and white roses were absent from last night's Oscars, there were still some thought-provoking moments – and one badass speech by Francis McDormand – but these are the tiny gestures you may have missed...
1. Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek and Annabella Sciorra introducing a short film about equality
All three of these women accused Harvey Weinstein of misconduct and spoke out against sexual predators in Hollywood. It seemed only fitting for them to introduce a short film, in which the likes of Greta Gerwig, Kumail Nunjiani, Barry Jenkins, Geena Davis spoke about equality – not just for women, but also race and the transgender community.
2. The Time's Up pins made another appearance
The Time's Up pins were worn proudly by Elizabeth Moss, Sam Rockwell, Jane Fonda and more.
3. And they weren't the only pins worn...
In light of the recent Parkland shooting, orange American flag pins were pinned to lapels and gowns in support of Everytown for Gun Safety, the movement to end gun violence.
4. Andra Day and Common's song gave a strong message
Also addressing the issue of gun violence and Parkland, Common free-styled the lyrics "Tell the NRA they're in God's way/and to the people of Parkland we say asé [or amen]" – directly calling out the National Rifle Association.
They were joined on stage by 10 activists: Tarana Burke, the founder of #MeToo, Patrisse Cullors from Black Lives Matter, Alice Brown Otter of the Standing Rock Youth Council, Syrian refugee and author, Bana Alabed, Bryan Stevenson from the Equal Justice Initiative, the former president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, labour-rights organizer Dolores Huerta, activist and author Janet Mock, José Andrés of the ThinkFoodGroup and Nicole Hockley, representing Sandy Hook Promise.
5. Native American Vietnam veteran, Wes Studi, introduced a military tribute
Iconic war films such as Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line, Platoon and three-time Academy Award-winning, Dunkirk were played in an 'all the feels' montage to honour the military.
