Women In Film Organization

A studio chief, a TV sports producer and three actors representing six decades of film making were honored at the Women in Film Crystal Awards luncheon, and all five winners expressed optimism that the barriers women face working in Hollywood would continue to fall. "Women in films are still being discriminated against," said actor Edward James Olmos, an Academy Award nominee this year for his role as an East L.A. teacher in the film "Stand and Deliver." "Roles are not being written for them yet. I think that will continue to change into the year 2000."

There was something in the way Nadia Williams would move her 92-year-old hands when she spoke of her son that seemed weighty: how she worried paper between her thumbs when someone mentioned his disappearance, or flung her palms up in joy with the recollection of his childhood.

General Motors -- a key player in the testosterone-propelled auto industry -- is pledging more than $1 million over a three-year period to Women in Film, a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing and empowering the entertainment community's female contingent. Women in Film, which has 20,000 members worldwide and 3,000 in the Los Angeles area, will use the funds to bolster existing programs.

General Motors -- a key player in the testosterone-propelled auto industry -- is pledging more than $1 million over a three-year period to Women in Film, a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing and empowering the entertainment community's female contingent. Women in Film, which has 20,000 members worldwide and 3,000 in the Los Angeles area, will use the funds to bolster existing programs.

Laudatory awards shows are the routine stuff of Hollywood, and Friday's 17th Annual Women in Film luncheon easily could have fallen into instant hazy memory if not for the uninhibited remarks by recipient Michelle Pfeiffer. Taking the podium to accept her Crystal Award, the last of several given out during the ceremonies recognizing individuals who "represent the highest ideals of the film and television industry," the actress admonished some of the people there to honor her. "So . . .

Sophia Loren, producer Gale Anne Hurd and entertainment attorney Emily Card will serve as honorary chairs for Women in Film's first Academy Awards Viewing Party. The black-tie-optional event will take place Oscar Night, March 30, at the Beverly Hills Country Club from 5 p.m. The evening will honor Women in Film members who have received Academy Awards or nominations.

A trio of French films, including the latest in director Diane Kurys' autobiographical series that began with "Peppermint Soda," highlight the sixth annual Women in Film Festival, which gets under way tonight with a premiere of Kurys' "C'est la Vie" at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood.

There was more talk about national politics than studio politics Friday at Women in Film's 16th annual Crystal Awards ceremony, which honors Hollywood women who have contributed significantly to the entertainment industry.

Women in the film and television business are moving into more powerful decision-making jobs, but they are still not represented at the highest levels of most companies, according to a study conducted by Women in Film to be released today. "The 'glass ceiling' has cracked, but it's still there," said Sally Steenland, who surveyed 20 companies and wrote the report.

There was something in the way Nadia Williams would move her 92-year-old hands when she spoke of her son that seemed weighty: how she worried paper between her thumbs when someone mentioned his disappearance, or flung her palms up in joy with the recollection of his childhood.

They called it "A Family Affair," but Women in Film's annual Crystal + Lucy Awards gala might have been dubbed "Father Knows Best." Blythe Danner received the prized Lucy and her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, the Crystal, but it was the late Bruce Paltrow -- husband, father, mentor, filmmaker -- who garnered the most touching praise during the sold-out June 18 benefit at the Westin Century Plaza. Some of it came from the honorees.

In 1973, the Hollywood Reporter published the findings of a secret Writers Guild of America survey showing that women had written less than 2% of the scripts over an entire TV season. In the wake of the furor that followed, Reporter publisher Tichi Wilkerson-Kassel gathered a small group of women in her office for an informal lunchtime meeting to brainstorm how to begin making the scales tip more favorably in the distaff direction.

The Oscar show's effort to pay more attention to the workers behind the cameras didn't have much impact on the crowd attending the third annual Women in Film's Academy Awards viewing party. For much of the telecast, guests focused more on the choice of international cuisine--Chinese, Mexican, Italian or American--at the various buffet tables in the Regency Beverly Hills Hotel ballroom. "Hasn't anyone eaten yet today?"

Laudatory awards shows are the routine stuff of Hollywood, and Friday's 17th Annual Women in Film luncheon easily could have fallen into instant hazy memory if not for the uninhibited remarks by recipient Michelle Pfeiffer. Taking the podium to accept her Crystal Award, the last of several given out during the ceremonies recognizing individuals who "represent the highest ideals of the film and television industry," the actress admonished some of the people there to honor her. "So . . .

There was more talk about national politics than studio politics Friday at Women in Film's 16th annual Crystal Awards ceremony, which honors Hollywood women who have contributed significantly to the entertainment industry.

Forget about limousines, gourmet pizzas and Italian tuxedos. There were none at this event. It was more fitting that pioneering feminist Betty Friedan was seated front and center before the large TV at Women in Film's first Academy Awards viewing party, held Monday night at the Beverly Hills Country Club.

In 1973, the Hollywood Reporter published the findings of a secret Writers Guild of America survey showing that women had written less than 2% of the scripts over an entire TV season. In the wake of the furor that followed, Reporter publisher Tichi Wilkerson-Kassel gathered a small group of women in her office for an informal lunchtime meeting to brainstorm how to begin making the scales tip more favorably in the distaff direction.

Forget about limousines, gourmet pizzas and Italian tuxedos. There were none at this event. It was more fitting that pioneering feminist Betty Friedan was seated front and center before the large TV at Women in Film's first Academy Awards viewing party, held Monday night at the Beverly Hills Country Club.

Sophia Loren, producer Gale Anne Hurd and entertainment attorney Emily Card will serve as honorary chairs for Women in Film's first Academy Awards Viewing Party. The black-tie-optional event will take place Oscar Night, March 30, at the Beverly Hills Country Club from 5 p.m. The evening will honor Women in Film members who have received Academy Awards or nominations.

Women in the film and television business are moving into more powerful decision-making jobs, but they are still not represented at the highest levels of most companies, according to a study conducted by Women in Film to be released today. "The 'glass ceiling' has cracked, but it's still there," said Sally Steenland, who surveyed 20 companies and wrote the report.