Women in Film Celebrate the 2016 Crystal + Lucy Awards

On Wednesday, June 15, Women In Film, Los Angeles (WIF) celebrated outstanding women in the entertainment industry with the 2016 Crystal + Lucy Awards presented by sponsors Max Mara and BMW.
The evening, hosted by actor and comedian Chris Parnell, raised funds and awareness for Women In Film, L.A., its educational and philanthropic programs, and its advocacy for gender parity for women throughout the industry.
Attended by a host of recognizable women in the film industry, organizers are dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for women, encouraging creative projects by women, and expanding and enhancing portrayals of women in all forms of global media.
During her acceptance speech, Taraji P. Henson (The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television Honoree) addressed the gender pay gap; “If I do a job just as well as a man, people tune-in every week, they see me, they root for me just like they root for him – why should my pay be less?” Henson also urged women to stand up for each other, calling out, “We’re all we got ladies. If we don’t support each other who will?”
Off-stage Natalie Dormer (The Women In Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award Honoree) kept her lips sealed not revealing any “Game of Thrones” spoilers, but promised big things were to come in the season finale.
Cate Blanchett showed support for her agent, Hylda Queally, presenting her with The Sue Mengers Award, with the two inseparable on the carpet as they completed interviews together.
Claire Danes presented The BMW Dorothy Arzner Directors Award to her “Homeland” director, Lesli Linka Glatter, and on-stage told the audience how she’s wearing Glatter’s lipstick after leaving hers at home and was happy to be “coated in [her] lipstick love.”
SNL alum Chris Parnell kicked off the Crystal + Lucy Awards saying in “one year from now we will be celebrating the first 100 days of the first female president” to a roaring applause from the audience. He then quipped, “or we will be giving the Crystal Award to Melania Trump… or else.”
Kate Beckinsale closed the program presenting the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film. For the first time in Crystal + Lucy Awards history, eight outstanding female producers – Denise Di Novi, Lauren Shuler Donner, Lucy Fisher, Lianne Halfon, Lynda Obst, Jane Rosenthal, Paula Wagner & Paula Weinstein – were honored together with The Crystal Award.
For more information visit wif.org.