The Crystal Award for Excellence in Film Honorees:
Denise Di Novi, Lianne Halfon, Lynda Obst, Jane Rosenthal, Paula Wagner, Lucy Fisher, Lauren Shuler Donner, Paula Weinstein
The eight honorees have blazed a trail for female producers while overcoming hurdles and making some great films. This year, the group includes risk-takers Denise Di Novi, who has produced dozens of films including “Heathers,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Ed Wood,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” and is making her directorial debut with “Unforgettable.” Honoree Lianne Halfon has produced such docs as “Crumb” along with fiction features “Demolition,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and “Juno.” Lynda Obst’s credits include the iconic “Sleepless in Seattle,” “The Fisher King” and “Interstellar.” Jane Rosenthal, who is also Tribeca Enterprises executive chair, worked on “Wag the Dog,” “Meet the Parents,” and Katie Holmes’ feature debut, “All We Had.” Paula Wagner has been behind some of the biggest blockbusters of the past couple of decades, including the “Mission: Impossible” trilogy, “War of the Worlds,” and has Reginald Hudlin’s “Marshall,” about a young Thurgood Marshall, on tap. Lucy Fisher’s credits include the “Divergent” series and “The Great Gatsby.” Action hits are the driver of Lauren Shuler Donner’s career, including “Deadpool” and the “X-Men” franchise. As exec VP of Tribeca Enterprises, Paula Weinstein helps run the Tribeca film festival; she produced “Blood Diamond” and “The Perfect Storm,” among other films.
The BMW Dorothy Arzner Directors Award
Lesli Linka Glatter
Glatter, whose stellar reputation has been built on such series as “Homeland,” “ER” and “Mad Men,” couldn’t be happier about female directors, showrunners, and executive producers taking the lead. “Even on a bad day, I love my job. I love being a storyteller and getting to work in this incredible ‘team sport’ with so many extraordinary artists,” she says. “I am profoundly grateful to WIF for this amazing honor especially now, where issues regarding women directors are at the forefront of the cultural conversation.”
The Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award
Natalie Dormer
As Queen Margaery Tyrell on “Game of Thrones,” Dormer plays a powerful and clever royal, not far from her Anne Boleyn in Showtime’s “The Tudors.” The actress has a lot on her docket, including more “Thrones” and Stefan Ruzowitzky’s “Patient Zero.” “I am proud to be part of the movement pushing forward,” she says.
The Sue Mengers Award
Hylda Queally
Named after groundbreaking superagent Sue Mengers, who guided the careers of Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, and Faye Dunaway, among others, the award has been presented only once before. CAA’s Queally has earned it, representing some of the top talent in the film industry, including Marion Cotillard, Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Lupita Nyong’o, Jessica Chastain, Rose Byrne, and Daisy Ridley.
The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television
Taraji P. Henson
Henson has become one of the most recognizable names in TV and film. Her role as Cookie Lyon on Fox’s “Empire” earned the actress a Golden Globe award and an Emmy nom. “I couldn’t be more honored or thrilled to receive an award from women and with the name Lucy attached makes it perfect,” she says. “After playing so many very dramatic roles, I hope this means someone thinks I can be funny.”
