Dame Emma Thompson has signed on as an "executive menstrual advisor" for a new comedy short.
The 66-year-old actress is throwing her support behind Julia Aks and Steve Pinder's upcoming film Jane Austen's Period Drama, which is hoping to be on the Oscars shortlist for live action short and other categories when they're announced next month.
She told The Hollywood Reporter: “Steve and Julia asked me to EP ahead of their Oscar campaign.
“But I tend not to take a producer credit unless I’ve actually done some work.
"But I think a comic title, such as Executive Menstrual Advisor, is something I’m very happy with.”
Thompson teased she has smoothed the project over with her agents.
She quipped: “I realise I’m not going to be remunerated in any way.
"I’ve had a discussion with my agents about it — they can be very violent under certain circumstances — but no, they’re fine. And I love that title.”
The 13-minute film follows Aks as Miss Estrogenia, an Austen-esque heroine who gets her period during a long-awaited marriage proposal.
Cue a most of comedic misunderstandings with Mr Dickley, as the struggles of women and men are highlighted.
Thompson added: "I’ve never seen anybody deal with it in this way. It’s such a wonderfully, bravely, revolutionarily funny thing to do.”
So far, Jane Austen's Period Drama has earned rave reviews and plaudits with over 28 awards.
Among them is the Oscar-qualifying jury award for comedy at Aspen Shortsfest, while it was given the highest-rated audience award ever for Cleveland International Film Festival.
The filmmakers have also added to their campaign at festivals by handed out free period products, which they referred to as "complimentary cotton stoppers".
Aks said Thompson's enthusiasm for the project "means the world", as she referenced her Oscar-winning turn in 1995's Sense and Sensibility.
She said: "She's a Jane Austen icon and a Dame, for God's sake!"
Pinder added: "Her support adds legitimacy not only to the fight against period shame but to comedies as serious awards fare.”
