As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for movies and documentaries that inspire, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming Women in Entertainment breakfast gala hosted by The Hollywood Reporter. With Jennifer Lawrence leading the scholarship presentation, it’s clear this event will be nothing short of extraordinary.
On Tuesday, I learned from The Hollywood Reporter that I, as a fortunate recipient of this role, will be honored with presenting the scholarships at THR’s yearly Women in Entertainment breakfast gala, proudly sponsored by Lifetime, taking place on December 4th in the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
At this event, Lawrence, who received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award in 2017, will collaborate with Amanda Zurawski, the main plaintiff in the Texas reproductive rights lawsuit known as Zurawski v. State of Texas, which was highlighted in the 2024 documentary feature film titled Zurawski v Texas. Lawrence is also an executive producer on this film, which tells the story of a group of women, spearheaded by Zurawski, who were denied healthcare and joined forces with a courageous attorney from the Center for Reproductive Rights to take legal action against the state of Texas. The film, which made its debut at the Telluride Film Festival, has garnered multiple awards and honors at festivals such as the Hamptons International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Heartland International Film Festival, and Santa Fe International Film Festival.
Lawrence, together with partner Justine Ciarrocchi and their production company Excellent Cadaver, co-produced the film “Bread & Roses.” This documentary, which debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, offers a compelling perspective on the significant changes in women’s lives following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2022. Directed by Sahra Mani, “Bread & Roses” is set for global release on Apple TV+ on Nov. 22. Notably, “Bread & Roses” was the first documentary under the Excellent Cadaver banner, with “Zurawski v. Texas” coming soon after.
At the upcoming gala, four prestigious university scholarships with a combined value exceeding $1 million will be awarded. The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation is contributing two of these scholarships, one each to Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University. This marks the ninth consecutive year that TCLFF has sponsored scholarships for this program, totalling over $2 million in financial aid so far. Additionally, the National Association of Theater Owners California Nevada will sponsor a scholarship for the third time, this time at Chapman University. Furthermore, writer-EP Melissa Blake, famous for her work on Based on a True Story (Peacock) and The Wilds (Amazon), is generously offering a scholarship to Loyola Marymount University.
For nearly a decade, Lifetime has been an integral part of the Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program, serving as a key donor to its overall scholarship fund. This generous contribution guarantees that each mentee receives a $10,000 scholarship for their chosen college. Additionally, A+E Networks, Lifetime’s parent company, is creating a brief documentary focusing on the mentorship program, which will be showcased at the event. Over the past seven years, Lifetime has donated over $1.5 million to this worthy cause.
The scholarships are given to high school seniors who are part of THR’s innovative Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program, where they mentor with influential women executives in film and TV. This program pairs bright girls from underprivileged LA communities with these industry leaders. The event will be attended by around 30 students from the junior and senior years of high school who are part of this program. This mentorship program, established in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and managed by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, will commemorate its 15th anniversary at this gala.
It’s one of the highlights of our program annually, to award these scholarships to students who have taken part in our mentorship program,” said THR co-editors-in-chief Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Maer Roshan. “These remarkable students are destined to mold the future of our industry and society at large. We feel privileged to have Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Zurawski, who serve as role models, present these scholarships. We extend our best wishes to all students in our Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program for their future successes in their education and lives.
The esteemed Hollywood Reporter shares that WME is graciously donating $75,000 to cover operational costs of a mentorship program, managed by BBBSLA and EIF, which includes transportation for the mentees, college preparation assistance, guidance on college admissions and financial aid, among other benefits.
The Golden Globe Foundation persists in its charitable assistance, offering a yearly grant of $50,000 from 2021 to 2025, for the benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles’ mentorship program’s general scholarship fund. Henry Arnaud, president of the Golden Globe Foundation, commends The Hollywood Reporter’s Women In Entertainment Mentorship Program as a remarkable initiative that strengthens the next generation of women in our field. The Golden Globe Foundation celebrates WIE on 15 successful years and is proud to further support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles by providing college scholarships.
Previously declared, Best Buy has extended its collaboration, initiated in 2022, with the Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program. The Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, an initiative by the Best Buy Foundation, constitute a system of tech-focused community spaces designed for young people. Here, teens can explore cutting-edge technology, acquire practical job skills, and connect with experienced mentors. Via this partnership, teens gain access to the Los Angeles Community Impact Hub, a network of up to 12 centers in L.A., aiming to establish a direct career pathway for young people interested in the local creative industry. The Community Impact Hub also serves as a source of potential mentees for the Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program, with members from Best Buy Teen Tech Centers being chosen annually for this program.
At the upcoming event, Nicole Kidman will receive the esteemed Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, while Selena Gomez will be honored with the Equity in Entertainment Award. This glamorous gathering is expected to attract 600 influential figures from the industry and VIPs. Notably, this gala aligns with the publication of The Hollywood Reporter‘s significant Women in Entertainment issue, which showcases the Power 100 – a list comprising the most powerful female executives and talents in entertainment.
The Women in Entertainment event hosted by The Hollywood Reporter is backed by Lifetime, a long-standing supporter of the WIE Mentorship Program, having donated over $1.7 million in scholarships during the last eight years. This event is additionally supported by Best Buy, Delta Air Lines, Rare Beauty, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Sephora and WME. It’s also a collaborative effort with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University.
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2024-11-19 21:25