Last week, some of the most luminous stars in cinema, both in front and behind the camera, came out to shine as Women In Film, Los Angeles (WIF, LA) celebrated exceptional women in the entertainment industry at the 2019 Women In Film Annual Gala.
The Women In Film Annual Gala honored film entrepreneurs working in the cinematic arts. The event brought attention and recognition and celebrated the potential and performance of women crafting skilled work in the film world. The 2019 Gala cast a bright spotlight as Natasha Lyonne presented The Women In Film Entrepreneur in Entertainment Award to noted actor/director Amy Poehler.
Other creatives who were honored included Cathy Schulman, who was acknowledged with The Crystal Award for Advocacy in Entertainment. Shulman’s award was presented by actor/activist Viola Davis. Maria Giulia Maramotti presented The Women In Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award to Elizabeth Debicki. And Stephanie Allain introduced the irrepressible Issa Rae with The Women In Film Emerging Entrepreneur Award.
The Stars Come Out
Among the cinematic VIPs who came out for the Gala were performer Charlie Barnett, famous for her work in “Orange is the New Black,” “Russian Doll,” and “You,” WIF, LA Board President Amy Baer, and powerhouse creative Cindy Chupack, director and writer of “Otherhood.”
The WIF Members’ Choice Awards
The sisterhood was strong at the Gala, and the criteria for winning the WIF, LA Members’ Choice Awards focused on female directors who created fantastic narrative feature films that hit the big screen in the US in 2018. Lake Bell, who presented the awards to the winners, got to call on talents and laud works like “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” by Marielle Heller, “Leave No Trace” by Debra Granik, “On The Basis Of Sex” by Mimi Leder, “Dumplin’” by Anne Fletcher, and “The Rider” by Chloé Zhao.
ReFrame for Film
ReFrame, a creative collaborative for cinema under the auspices of WIF, LA and Sundance Institute announced the first class of ReFrame Rise directors and Kyra Sedgwick proudly played the host to the directors who had been selected. The honors went to directors Akhavan, al-Mansour, Cardoso, Culpepper, Freeland, Fuentes, Mabry, and Menon. Sedgwick, a triple-threat as a performer/director/producer noted in her speech that in her experience as an actor and director, she understood and empathized with the necessity of support within the profession. She also noted the need to present fresh vantage points in all areas of the film arts and how cinema was made stronger by hearing from a diverse range of voices to craft stories that resonate with audiences.
ReFrame Rise is providing sponsorship that supports opportunities, recognition, and visibility for female film entrepreneurs. The program is intended to help film artists take on an array of positions, including studio honchos, directors, and producers who create content for feature films and television programs. ReFrame and Hulu announced their plans for a 3-year commitment to foster talent and to create innovative new content.