Frances McDormand called for an "inclusion rider" as she picked up the Best Actress Oscar on Sunday (04.03.18).
The 60-year-old actress was given the Academy Award for Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her work on ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ and used her time in the spotlight to ask all the female nominees in the room at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to stand.
She said: "And now, I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honoured to have all the female nominees stand with me in this room tonight. Filmmakers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, the composers, the songwriters, the designers, come on."
As they rose to their feet amid cheers, she said: "Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed.
"Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into our office in a couple of days — or you can come to ours, whichever suits you best — and we’ll tell you all about them…
"I have two words for you: Inclusion rider."
An inclusion rider is a clause in a contract that would provide for gender and racial diversity."
Frances also paid a touching tribute to her husband Joel Coen and their adopted son, Pedro, and appeared close to tears as she addressed them.
She said: "My clan, Joel and Pedro, these two stalwart individuals were well raised by their feminist mothers, they value themselves, each other and those around them. I know you are proud of me and that fills me with everlasting joy."
Frances McDormand takes Best Actress Oscar
