Filmmaker Mira Nair won the Dorothy Arzner Director’s Award at the Women in Film Awards that was held in Los Angeles on June 14. Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, who collaborated with the director for the 2016 movie, Queen of Katwe, introduced her on stage.
The award night also took a dramatic turn when Elizabeth Banks, who was presented with the Women in Film Crystal Award for Excellence, called out director Steven Spielberg for not having a solid female lead in his films. According to a report, “I went to Indiana Jones and Jaws and every movie Steven Spielberg ever made, and by the way, he’s never made a movie with a female lead. Sorry, Steven. I don’t mean to call your ass out, but it’s true.”
There were surprise appearances made by Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Sen Kamala Harris, with their videos being screened during the ceremony. Hillary Clinton said she hasn’t watched the Gal Gadot-starrer Wonder Woman yet, but intends to. “Something tells me that a movie about a strong powerful woman fighting to save the world from a massive international disaster is right up my alley,” she said.
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Every time a Wonder Woman reference was made, the crowd broke into thunderous applause.
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, handed over the Lucy Award to Tracee Ellis Ross, saying: “Your character on Black-ish, Bow, is an inspiration for folks all across this country.”
The annual Crystal + Lucy Awards raise funds for Women In Film’s research and education programs. The gala also took a look at some of Women in Film’s new initiatives, including the Flip the Script series of short videos premiering on YouTub this week.
Pic: Associated Press