Many actors used their Oscar acceptance speeches to highlight important global issues such as the lack of diverse nominees and climate change. This year, actress Natalie Portman took her advocacy a step beyond by exhibiting all of the names of the women directors snubbed of nominations, embroidered on her custom-made cape. 

She wore this cape to bring awareness to the fact that female directors face so many more struggles besides not receiving nominations. For example, women have a harder time getting hired, getting into film festivals, and gaining attention for their films compared to their male counterparts. 

The Oscars are known for not having the most diverse nominees, and this year was not an exception. This year the nomination for Best Director was highlighted for not having a single female nominee. In fact, only five women have ever been nominated for Best Director at the Oscars. In 2020, many notable films with female directors were snubbed of nominations. Specifically, Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), and Célone Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) were not nominated and were featured on Natalie Portman’s dress. 

Women need the same amount of attention and reward for their films as their white, male counterparts. They work just as hard or harder than white male filmmakers because they don’t get equal resources and opportunities. It’s 2020 – their films deserve to be valued just as much as men’s.