Cannes Crowns Trans Actor Karla Sofia Gascon Best Actress for First Time: 'Change, You Bas****s'

Congratulations are in order for actor Karla Sofia Gascon, who was presented with the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday and made history as the first transgender woman to receive the distinction.

As reported by The Telegraph, a fired up Gascon accepted the award as the breakout star in Jacques Audiard's musical comedy "Emilia Perez" and delivered an emotionally poignant message in her acceptance speech. She shared the award with her co-stars Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz. It was first time an ensemble was given an acting award at the Festival.

'To every trans person suffering every f***** day with hate...This is for you,' said Gascon as her costars in the Spanish-language film looked on.

"Emilia Perez" centers on a lawyer who is recruited by a Mexican drug lord to help him undergo a gender confirmation surgery. The plot was reportedly considered divisive among Cannes' audiences, but the proof was in Gascon's captivating performance.

"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," said Cascon with tears in her eyes.

"Emilia Perez" also won the festival's Cannes Jury Prize, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation during its Cannes premiere.