Susan Steiger (third from the right), the rest of the NYWIFT board, and Muse honorees take the stage at the 2012 Muse Awards.
At the 2001 Muse Awards, Dede Allen — the first editor to get an exclusive credit on a film — received a standing ovation from a packed house. It’s those moments that make Susan Steiger, NYWIFT’S VP of Special Events, proud to be a part of the popular event year after year.
This year marks the 34th Muse Awards for Outstanding Vision and Achievement and Susan’s third as its chief organizer. She has volunteered at the event since 1998.
NYWIFT’s Muse Awards are full of “extraordinary women from all walks of life and in different professions,“ says Susan. “That makes it really fun.”
A native New Yorker, Susan has worked in politics and network news. She has a law degree, and today, focuses on helping and promoting women in the arts, volunteering with organizations like NYWIFT. “It’s all about what women can do for women,” she says.
Putting together a flagship fundraising event is quite the job. But the chance to honor the women who have been pioneers keeps her motivated, says Susan. (Check out the full list of honorees.)
This year, NYWIFT will honor actors Ellen Barkin (The Big Easy, Broadway’s The Normal Heart), Connie Britton (Nashville), Robin Wright (House of Cards), Sonia Manzano (Sesame Street), Frances Berwick (president of Bravo and Oxygen Media), and Nancy Malone (co-founder, Women in Film and director/producer/actor).
Tickets are now on sale for Muse 2013, being held on December 12 at the New York Hilton.
— MIMI SPILLANE (@mimispillane)
nywift
Related Posts
NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Shahnaz Mahmud
When award-winning journalist Shahnaz Mahmud set out to write and direct her first narrative film, she landed on a deeply personal story inspired by her parents’ own arranged marriage. And when it came time to a select an editor to collaborate with, she turned to the NYWIFT membership directory, where she found veteran editor Susan B. Ades – the perfect match for her project. Members Shahnaz and Susan sat down with us to discuss their adventures (and misadventures!) making the short film The Blossom, how their partnership brought new elements of the story to light, and the unique path to bringing such an intimate tale to the screen.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kate Dolan
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kate Dolan! Kate Dolan is a New York City-based actress with a passion for storytelling. Her commitment to authenticity and restless pursuit of refining her craft is a reflection of her energetic dedication. Kate is interested in playing characters that both challenge her and resonate deeply with audiences. Having been booked for her first feature film, she is already emulating the actors that have inspired her since childhood. Her experience interning at NYWIFT and Prospect Musicals have given her an advantage as a young actress, providing her with a behind-the-curtain perspective on many aspects of the entertainment industry. In our interview, Kate discusses her experiences, inspirations, and goals.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Alison Hirsch
Welcome to NYWIFT, Alison Hirsch! Alison Hirsch is a native New Yorker, with a background spanning development, production, and representation. She bridges storytelling with commercial strategy, bringing a keen understanding of how content is identified, shaped, and circulated. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton, Alison assisted Linda Yellen on her film, which won the Indie Spirit Best Picture and Best Director awards at BIFF. At Little Monster Films, Alison researched potential projects and evaluated their market viability. Following two years at WME in the Motion Picture and Scripted TV departments, Alison recently joined Assemble Media as their Coordinator.
READ MORENia Long Invites Audiences to Celebrate Joy, Legacy, and Love in Michael
For more than four decades, renowned actress Nia Long has defined what it means to bring authenticity and emotional depth to the screen. A cultural icon in her own right, she now takes on one of her most meaningful roles to date, portraying Katherine Jackson in the highly anticipated biopic Michael. Tammy Reese sat down with Nia Long for an exclusive conversation about her latest role.
READ MORE
