Catherine Hardwicke: This profile of Catherine Hardwicke will and should make you angry. It proves the rampant sexism that is still alive and well in our business. After breaking box office records with Twilight, Hardwicke should have been in demand. She was thanked with a cupcake (yes, really), labeled as “difficult,” and her career was never the same.
Hamptons Award: I was so touched to receive the first-ever Industry Advocate for Women Award at the Hamptons Film Festival this weekend. Our Women’s Brunch and Women Calling the Shots Showcase that we present at the festival every year is one of my very favorite NYWIFT events.
Queens World: Catch NYWIFT Finance and Special Projects Associate Easmanie Michel on the FREE “How Does She Do It?” panel at Queens World Film Festival this Sunday.
(Photo illustration by The Daily Beast)
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