Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon has become the first trans woman to receive the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Gascon, 52, starred in the Mexican musical comedy Emila Perez, a film about drug wars and a man transitioning to escape the cartels.
The film received a 10 minute standing ovation at a screening last week.
The 52-year-old accepted the award on behalf of other female members of the cast - Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Adriana Paz - who collectively won the trophy as an ensemble.
Karla Sofia Gascon has become the first trans woman to receive the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival
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In the film, lawyer Rita (Saldaña) is hired by cartel leader Manitas (Gascon) who wants help in fleeing to Mexico with their wife (Gomez) and children, in order to transition to a female in order to evade the dangerous gangs.
During her acceptance speech, Gascon said: “To every trans person suffering every f***** day with hate...This is for you.”
Speaking to potential critics, she said: “We all have the opportunity to change for the better, to be better people. If you have made us suffer, it is time for you also to change.”
Cannes jury president Greta Gerwig explained the decision behind the shared award: “Women together – that’s something we wanted to honour when we made this award,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
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The 52-year-old accepted the award on behalf of other female members of the cast
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“Each of them is a standout, but together transcendent.”
Alongside the collective Best Actress award, Emilia Perez also won the Cannes Jury Prize at the 2024 event.
Many had tipped Demi Moore, 61, to win the gong for Best Actress for her role in The Substance, a “body horror” drama about ageing stars in Hollywood.
Actresses Uma Thurman, Audrey Plaza and Emma Stone were also up for the coveted prize.
Gascon and director Jacques Audiard pose with their awards
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Gomez was not at the event but reacted to their joint win on Instagram, putting her head in her hands in disbelief.
As it stands, there is no UK release date for the film.