A French actress protested naked at a Cesar Awards ceremony demanding that the government do more to support culture during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a BBC report on Saturday.

Corinne Masiero, 57, wore a donkey costume over a blood-stained dress before stripping on stage at France's film award ceremony that is the equivalent of the Oscars. Cinemas have been shut in France for more than three months.

Masiero was invited to Friday's socially-distanced ceremony to present the award for the best costumes.

But she shocked those present in the concert hall by stripping naked on stage to reveal the message "No culture, no future" written across her torso. And appealing to French PM Jean Castex, Masiero had another slogan on her back which in English translated to :  "Give us back art, Jean,"  the BBC report said.

Other actors and directors are reported to have made similar demands during the show.

The best film award at the ceremony went to Albert Dupontel's dark comedy Adieu Les Cons (Goodbye Morons).

The film – which depicts a desperate search by a seriously ill woman for her child – won seven Césars, including one for the best director.

Best foreign film went to Denmark's Another Round, directed by Thomas Vinterberg, which shows a group of friends trying to improve their lives by maintaining a permanent level of alcohol in their blood.