Oscars 2018: Harvey Weinstein's accusers and Me Too movement take centre stage

The Me Too movement stole the spotlight at the Oscars on Sunday night, with three of Harvey Weinstein's accusers promoting the campaign on stage.

Actresses Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek came out to introduce a montage that celebrated diversity in cinematic storytelling - including gender and race.

First, they each referred to the reckoning that has occurred since the Weinstein story broke last October, launching the £MeToo and Time's Up movements.

Judd, whose accusations appeared in the first New York Times article about Weinstein, spoke about "new voices, different voices, OUR voices." She then shouted, "Time's Up!"

Voices in the segment included Ava DuVernay, Greta Gerwig, Kumail Nunjiani, Barry Jenkins, Geena Davis and Mira Sorvino.

The Me Too movement, which was also a key subject in Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue, had arrived in style on the Oscars red carpet in the form of campaign pins.

The issue of sexual harassment has hovered over the film industry for months. And its presence was felt even during the year’s biggest Hollywood celebration, as Judd said it marked a time when everyone was listening to women.

"What's so spectacular about this moment is that finally the world is able to hear," she said.

Much of the change, she added, was that the shame of being a victim had now been transferred to perpetrators, in a movement that had moved beyond Hollwood.

"And us being the phoenixes who can light the way not only with Hollywood but for safe and equitable workplaces across all spaces and all sectors," she added.

Oscars 2018: The most glamorous looks from the red carpet

Sorvino said she wanted people to know the movement will not stop until "we have an equitable and safe world for women".

Weinstein, 65, has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by about 100 women. He denies all allegations of non-consensual sex.

He always known as one of the big figures of Oscar night. He may have been absent but this time around he was represented by a life-size golden statue seated on a "casting couch" just down Hollywood boulevard.

There was also additional scrutiny of Ryan Seacrest, who hosted some of E!’s coverage after his former stylist accused him of sexual harassment. He denies the accusations and his presence was a vote of confidence in him by E!

And the ceremony itself is reportedly breaking from tradition with as many as four female Oscar winners presenting awards.

Christopher Plummer  also appeared after being  nominated for best supporting actor for his role in All The Money In The World, coming in as a last-minute replacement for  Kevin Spacey.  It meant many scenes had to be reshot.

Oscars | Gender imbalance

He told ABC: "In the theatre, this happens all the time, I've spent my life on stage so it's not a strange coincidence to replace someone and only have nine days to get ready, it was like old times.

"Sometimes it's great to have that little space, you don't talk about it, you don't indulge yourself, there's no time, you give a more accurate and hopefully more vulnerable performance."

The Shape Of Water leads the nominations with 13, including best picture and best director.