This 2017-19 film awards season has undoubtedly been the year of women. The Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Screen Actors Guild Awards and even the largest of them all, the Academy Awards, were all defined by moments promoting the positive advancement of women everywhere through invigorating speeches, the founding of campaigns and inspiring shows of female solidarity both inside and out of the films up for awards. Due to this, nearly all sections of The Mirror have commented on these awards shows over the past few months. As of 11:53 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, award season concluded with the Oscars and the entirety of the season can be analyzed. Not only were women celebrated, but intersectionality was an overarching theme. Between “Black Panther,” “Wonder Woman,” “Get Out,” “The Big Sick” and “The Shape of Water” there was diverse representation in a way that we haven’t seen before with starring characters and actors from minority groups including females, disabled persons, those who identify as being part of the LGTB+ community and much more.

In regards to wins for these films, “The Shape of Water,” starring female Sally Hawkins as the mute Eliza Esposito, took home the biggest award for the night: Best Picture. But other films, and their creators, also made diversity history. This year, director Gerta Gerwig became the fifth nominated female for Best Director for “Lady Bird”, “Mudbound”’s Rachel Morrison became the first female to ever be nominated for Best Cinematography, Jason Peele was the first black person to take home the award for Best Original Screenplay for “Get Out” and James Ivory is now recorded as the oldest Oscar winner at age 89 for his adaption of the “Call Me by Your Name” screenplay at 89. Out of the film world, actor Daniela Vega became the first transgender actor to present at the awards.

While all of these are amazing achievements, there is still progress to be made in Hollywood and in the film industry as a whole. Hopefully, at some point in the future, the world will no longer wait with baited breath for a diverse range of nominees, or need to celebrate when a member of one of these communities wins an award as diversity will become commonplace. As three women currently running an award-winning student newspaper, we look forward to the day where the success of women can be achieved through all parameters of society.

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-- Executive Editor Emeritus -- English Literature & Film, Television, and Media Arts

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