Daniela Vega made Oscar history she became the first openly transgender woman to present at the Academy Awards.

The actress took to the stage to introduce Sufjan Steven’s performance of “Mystery of Love” from Call Me By Your Name.

Vega who starred A Fantastic Woman, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, said: “Thank you so much for this moment.I want to invite you to open your hearts and your feelings to feel the reality, to feel love. Can you feel it?”

Directed by Sebastian Lelio, A Fantastic Woman beat Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Russian tragedy Loveless and Ruben Ostlund’s Swedish satire The Square to the award.

Leilo called Vega "the inspiration for this movie", as he accepted the accolade.

“This film was made by a lot of friends and artists," he said. "I share this with all of you tonight.”

Speaking to reporters backstage after his win, Lelio said: “I felt that, for me, it was very instinctive and strong decision knowing that I was not going to make this film without a transgender actress in main role.

Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Show all 26 1 /26 Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Saoirse Ronan Praised for her leading role in Lady Bird, the Irish actress sweetened the sartorial stakes in this candy-coloured gown by Calvin Klein. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira The Black Panther stars dazzled in their respective gold and blush ensembles. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Sandra Bullock Stunning in lashings of sequins, the Academy Award-winning actress took to the red carpet in a halter-neck gown by Louis Vuitton. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Elizabeth Chambers and Armie Hammer The Call Me By Your Name star attended the ceremony in a crimson velvet tuxedo while his wife, American actress Elizabeth Chambers, opted for a slick, off-the-shoulder gown. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Meryl Streep She may not be the only lady in red at this year's ceremony, but with more Oscar nominations under her belt than any other Hollywood starlet, Streep certainly stands out in this elegant Dior gown. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Daniel Kaluuya The British actor added a touch of splendour to his Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo with a velvet jacket in a dusty mustard hue. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Nicole Kidman Few cut a razor-sharp silhouette on the red carpet like Nicole Kidman - and this Armani Privé gown is no exception. With its wide peplum waist and intricate-tailoring, the Australian actress makes a strong case for best-dressed guest at this year's awards. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Camila Alves, Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet The 22-year-old Call Me By Your Name actor posed alongside McConaughey and his model wife Alves, with all three coordinating in a triptych of monochromatic mastery. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Emma Stone She took home the coveted gong for best actress at last year's ceremony for her leading role in La La Land. This year, Emma Stone proved her red carpet style credentials yet again in a custom-made Louis Vuitton suit. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Emily Blunt The British actress chose a pale periwinkle couture gown by Schiaparelli complete with a ruffled Victorian neckline and a gently-pleated skirt. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Viola Davis At a first glance, Viola Davis' fluorescent fuchsia gown might have you seeing spots, but the Academy Award-winning actress somehow manages to pack a punch in pink while deterring any Barbie doll disaster comparisons in this Michael Kors gown. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Gal Gadot The Wonder Woman actress revolutionised Twenties glamour in this Givenchy Haute Couture flapper dress. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Margot Robbie The Australian actress looked like a Grecian goddess in this optic white Chanel haute couture gown. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Sally Hawkins Nominated for best actress for her role in Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, the British actress cut a modest silhouette in this long-sleeved shimmering gown. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Jennifer Lawrence Staying true to her Dior loyalties, the Red Sparrow actress channelled metallic mastery in this spaghetti strap gown, hot from the luxury fashion house's pre-fall 2018 collection. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Jennifer Garner The American actress sashayed down the red carpet in this deep blue Atelier Versace gown complete with a dynamic neckline and a billowing train. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Greta Gerwig Taking to the red carpet in custom Rodarte complete with floral appliqué, the best director nominee complemented her golden gown with a slick of red lipstick and an understated chain necklace. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet James Ivory The Call Me By Your Name screenwriter donned a custom-made shirt adorned with none other than Timothée Chalamet's face. Unsurprisingly, Ivory's outfit choice proved to be a social media hit amongst fans of the 22-year-old actor, who is nominated for best actor for his performance in the 89-year-old's film. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Gina Rodriguez The American actress was a vision in sparkles in this plunging chiffon gown from Zuhair Murad's spring 2018 couture collection. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Helen Mirren If anyone can elevate the grandeur of regal blue it's British treasure Helen Mirren, who took home an Oscar for her stellar performance in The Queen in 2007. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Laura Dern Complementing her lithe figure, the Big Little Lies star proved that white needn't be dull in this elegant column gown by Calvin Klein. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Salma Hayek A firm friend of Alessandro Michele, it simply wouldn't make sense if Hayek took to the red carpet in anything other than a custom-made Gucci gown, which in this instance comes complete with globular sequins and a tiered Mermaid-like skirt. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Elisabeth Moss Taking to the red carpet in pastel-perfect pink, the Handmaid's Tale star put a sophisticated spin on girlish glamour in this off-the-shoulder Dior gown. Rex Features Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Allison Janney The I,Tonya star opted for an eye-popping scarlet gown by Reem Acra paired with a Roger Vivier clutch. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Zoey Deutch Making her Oscars debut, the 23-year-old actress donned a couture lilac gown by Elie Saab featuring intricate beading detail. Getty Images Oscars 2018: Best-dressed on the red carpet Allison Williams The Get Out star radiated in a pearlescent Armani Privé couture gown, complete with an opulent jewelled bodice and a softly-pleated skirt that gently folded out onto the red carpet. Rex Features

"That was me, and that put [the] film in a different dimension because of everything that Daniela brought to the film. … That doesn’t mean someone like Daniela can’t interpret a cisgender role, you know what I mean?”

The film traces Marina, a transgender woman played by Vega, who is in a relationship with a man 30 years her senior called Orlando.

After Orlando dies of an aneurysm, Marina is treated with suspicion by his family. Both the film and Vega’s performance have received widespread critical acclaim.

She had appeared in just one film before A Fantastic Woman and spoke about her film’s role in the wider transgender community before the Oscars ceremony.