Political messages became a visible part of the red carpet at the 2026 Academy Awards, as several actors and filmmakers used the global stage to highlight ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, saw celebrities wearing symbolic pins and accessories calling for peace and humanitarian action.
Red carpet turns into platform for political messages
As stars arrived at the Oscars, many used their attire to signal solidarity with civilians affected by conflicts following the US-Israeli war on Iran and the continuing violence in Gaza.
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Spanish actor Javier Bardem drew attention on the carpet by wearing a pin that read "No a la Guerra", Spanish for "no to war". The same pin was previously worn by him in 2003 during protests against the Iraq war.
Bardem also displayed a Handala pin, a symbol created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali that has come to represent the Palestinian people and their continued resistance.
Presenting the award for Best International Feature Film during the ceremony, Bardem used his moment on stage to repeat the message.
"No to war and free Palestine," he said, s statement that drew loud applause from the audience.
Bardem links message to current conflict
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Bardem explained why he chose to wear the symbols on the Oscars red carpet.
"We are here 23 years after with another illegal war, created by Trump and Netanyahu with another lie to defeat the regime.
They're radicalising the regime by their horrific actions, that is not the reason. And also the Palestine symbol of resistance," he stated, referencing his Handala pin.
Artists call for ceasefire in Gaza
Elsewhere on the red carpet, several celebrities wore the red enamel Artists4Ceasefire pin, which has become a symbol used by members of the creative community calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
British actress Charithra Chandran was among those seen wearing the badge during the ceremony.
"What we are demanding is a ceasefire in Gaza, I think that I am so blessed to have a platform and this is the least I could do to use it," she told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Sometimes the news cycle is so fast and people move on but the people in Gaza and the West Bank are still suffering."
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Members of the cast of 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', nominated for Best International Feature Film, also wore the symbol. The film recounts the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl during the war in Gaza and the efforts by emergency responders to reach her.
Actress Saja Kilani said the gesture reflected ongoing violence affecting civilians.
"There is no ceasefire right now, there are bombings happening to this day," she said. "Destruction, displacement, all over the world.
"Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and Venezuela, everywhere. This is a demand for a permanent ceasefire."
Israeli actress Clara Khoury also connected the message to broader political issues.
"It's happening in the US, ICE. What's happening in America, what's happening with ICE, it's all connected. We are all the same, we are all human and hatred is a cancer.
People should open their hearts, our governments should acknowledge the other and be accountable to their atrocities everywhere," she said.
Travel restrictions keep actor from attending
Another member of the film's cast, Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees, was unable to attend the ceremony despite the nomination.
Malhees said he could not travel to the United States because of a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration on holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents.
"It hurts. But here is the truth: You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice," he wrote on Instagram.
