Stars shine for peace: The 'Artists4Ceasefire' and Palestinian flag at the Oscars 2024

The annual awards became a platform for advocating peace and solidarity with Gaza

Several celebrities donned the red Artists4Ceasefire pin during the 96th annual Academy Awards ceremony. EPA

Mark Ruffalo, a star of Poor Things, wears the pin at the Oscars on Sunday. AP

Origin director Ava DuVernay and producer Paul Garnes show their support for Gaza. AFP

Ava DuVernay attending the Governors Ball after the Oscars. AP

The pin calls for de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza. AFP

Ramy Youssef, also from Poor Things, wore the pin on Sunday. AFP

The Artists4peace initiative has written an open letter to the Biden administration and other world leaders. EPA

British rapper and actor Riz Ahmed. AP

French actor Milo Machado-Graner wore a Palestinian flag pin during the ceremony. AFP

Machado-Graner and Swann Arlaud, from Anatomy of a Fall, show support for the cause. AFP

American filmmaker and actor Eugene Lee Yang wears the red pin. EPA

(From L) Finneas O'Connell and US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish wear an "Artists4Ceasefire" pin, calling for de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel as they attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 10, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP)

Nadim Cheikhrouha, a producer on Four Daughters, supports the cause. EPA

Filmmaker Shruti Ganguly, right, and a guest pose on the red carpet during the 96th Academy Awards. Reuters

Besides wearing the red pin, Ganguly also had the words 'Cease Fire' written on her arm as she arrived for the 96th annual Academy Awards ceremony. EPA

The 96th Annual Academy Awards, held in Hollywood, California, was a night for celebrating cinematic achievements – and a platform for Middle East peace.

Among the glitz and glamour, several of those attending wore the “Artists4Ceasefire” pin, calling attention to the continuing conflict in Gaza and advocating for de-escalation and ceasefire.

The circular red pin, according to the Artists4Ceasefire group, stands for “collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza”.

The initiative was widely supported by celebrities, indicating their commitment to use their visibility for global causes.

The pins, including the Palestinian flag worn by French actors Milo Machado-Graner and Swann Arlaud, stars of Anatomy of a Fall, conveyed a message of unity and the urgent need for humanitarian aid.

Celebrities advocating for peace

American director Ava DuVernay, actor Mark Ruffalo and British actor and rapper Riz Ahmed, alongside others, arrived at the Oscars with the pin.

Ramy Youssef, who was in the surreal comedy Poor Things, emphasised the campaign's message: “It's about 'stop killing kids'.”

Youssef stressed the importance of halting violence to allow space for healing and justice.

“We're using our voices to speak to people's hearts,” he said. “We want people to have safety and justice.

“It's obviously something a lot of people have a lot of opinions about, and I think there can be a place and time to process feelings.

“The best time to process feelings is when there isn't active violence happening. So, we need to stop the violence, we need to stop the bombing.”

British director Jonathan Glazer also criticised the violence in the Middle East as he accepted an award for The Zone Of Interest, which won the Best International Feature Oscar.

He said: “Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst – it’s shaped all of our past and present.

“Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.

“Whether it’s the victims of October 7 in Israel or of the ongoing attack on Gaza, all are victims of this dehumanisation.”

Sister and brother Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, both nominated for an Oscar, also wore the red pin calling for a ceasefire between Gaza and Israel.

Read the full list of the night's winners here.

Oscars 2024 red carpet – in pictures