Dedicated to celebrating courageous and audacious women leaders, the Athena Film Festival captures the Zeitgeist. Under the auspices of Barnard College, Athena honored J. J. Abrams, presenting him an Athena Leading Man award, among its stellar women in film honorees this year, Amma Asante, Athena Breakthrough awardee Bridget Everett, and Barbara Kopple its Laura Ziskin Lifetime Achievement Award. In accepting, awardees are asked to speak about a woman influence, excluding mother. Introduced by Lena Dunham, Abrams spoke about his wife, Katie McGrath. You’ve gotta love a man who honors his wife. She and Abrams run his Bad Robot production company. She is also one of the forces in the Time’s Up movement; many at Athena wore the pin, the much talked about accessory at the Golden Globes. And then, defying the rules, he did thank his mother. What a mensch!

Of course, what would an awards evening be without the clip reel? Actress, comedienne Bridget Everett’s featured enough cleavage and thigh to keep the evening rolling along. Introduced by director Geremy Jasper, the Patti Cake$ star who used to wait tables not far from Barnard spoke about Murray Hill, now a mustachioed “drag king” entertainer, who used to actually live in Murray Hill before moving to Brooklyn. Amma Asante, recently recognized by the Queen, remembered herself as a young writer/director, and emphasized, “Our voices do have a value.” Kristi Jacobson introduced documentarian Barbara Kopple who brought the legendary 100-year-old Lucy Jarvis to the ceremony and told wonderful stories about this inspiring producer who was the first to gain entry into the Kremlin.

In a surprise move, Melissa Silverman honored Kathryn Kolbert with an Athena crystal statue. These founders of the Athena Film Festival have done outstanding work in shining a light on women in the industry. Still, Kolbert noted her role at Barnard and her love of the students she sees every day. I can imagine they feel the same way about her.

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura