Margaret Atwood Calls Fellow Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada Honorees “Very Hard Acts to Follow”

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Margaret Atwood describes the decision made by MGM in 2016 to transform her renowned dystopian novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” into a Hulu series as somewhat daring or venturesome.

It was a risky move. And luckily, it paid off. If someone had approached me earlier and suggested making a film based on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, I would have questioned its appeal – ‘Who would be interested in that?'” she expressed at the second annual Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada gala held at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto on Thursday.

“It was a daring decision. And it turned out to be successful. Had someone proposed making a movie about ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ to me earlier, I would have wondered if there was an audience for it – ‘What audience would be interested in that?'” she said at the second annual Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada gala, which took place at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto on Thursday.

In a speech at the Ritz Carlton while accepting the ICON Award, the sharp-tongued Canadian author, poet, and activist commented that when the book first came out, some people found it enlightening because they believed the United States would never engage in such actions. She went on to discuss the success of adapting her 1985 dystopian novel as Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” nears its conclusion in its sixth and final season, and a television adaptation of her 2019 sequel novel, “The Testaments,” is currently being filmed in Toronto.

At the second annual WIE Canada event hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, Atwood was recognized among a distinguished group of influential Canadian women. This full-day event attracted prominent homegrown producers, actors, musicians, and executives such as Humberly González from Orphan Black, Anita Lee, chief programmer of the Toronto Film Fest, Debra Rathwell, an exec at AEG Presents, and Magali Simard, an exec at Cinespace Studios.

Highlights of the event featured Amrit Kaur, star of “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” using her time on stage to receive the Breakthrough Award and urging fellow Canadian women, particularly those in positions of power, to show more assertiveness as they develop and share their stories.

Kaur asserted that women possess a unique intuition, are not deterred by the truth like many men, have deep understanding of humanity, have faced oppression, and persist despite being told ‘no.’ She encouraged everyone to support art that ignites passion in women, as individuals, humanitarians, and artists.

Additionally present were Shirley Halperin, co-editor-in-chief of THR, and Jeanie Pyun, deputy editorial director of the same publication, who unveiled this year’s WIE Canada Power List. This list highlights 45 pioneers who are forging ahead and shaping the future of film, television, and music in Canada.

Halperin expressed her joy in honoring a dynamic group of accomplished women, many of whom were invited to join her on stage, causing a wave of excitement and applause in the bustling ballroom. To add to the celebration, attendees at WIE Canada enjoyed a live performance by singer-songwriter Rachelle Show.

The initial group of participants in the WIE Canada Mentorship Program – Jessica Commanda, Aman Kaur Khangura, Julisa Marcel, Kipola Wakilongo, Olivia Weatherall, and Dianne Wulf – stood on the stage at the Ritz Carlton together with their mentors. They are eager for personalized mentoring, workshops, and networking opportunities to boost their careers.

One significant moment was when Christina Jennings, the founder and president of Shaftesbury, was honored with the Glass Ceiling Award. Known for producing hit series like the period police procedural “Murdoch Mysteries” and the family-oriented dog-and-cop show “Hudson & Rex,” Jennings, who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, reminisced about a prosperous era for women’s rights during her youth.

She remembered thinking that her abilities were just as great as any man’s, and she never doubted she couldn’t accomplish anything a man could do, aside from physical strength,” she said. Looking at today’s U.S., Jennings (Peter Jennings’ sister) noted the resistance women encounter in workplaces and society at large under the Trump administration.

The advancements made for women’s rights are under attack, threatening the progress we’ve achieved. It’s alarming to witness the erosion of diversity, fairness, and inclusivity – principles we’ve passionately advocated for – in the United States,” she voiced her concern. On Thursday as well, actress Tantoo Cardinal, known for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon” and of Cree and Métis descent, received the Equity in Entertainment Award.

She discussed how Canada’s indigenous populations have endured the effects of the residential schools and the Sixties Scoop tragedies on the nation’s native people. “I hail from a strong and resilient people,” Cardinal stated, emphasizing that our history contains lessons in our survival against atrocities, embedded in the very essence of those who endured and in the spirits of those who did not survive. She highlighted the importance of healing and self-discovery through storytelling.

Legendary fashion and lifestyle journalist Jeanne Beker, honored with the IMPACT Award, shared that she managed to build a career in Canada during the 1980s and 1990s – a time when camaraderie among women wasn’t as prevalent as it is today. “Competition was fierce,” Beker reminisced, “I could feel it, and I often felt intimidated by other women.

However, circumstances evolved. “Witnessing this remarkable community shining brightly with love and encouragement is truly overwhelming. I am deeply grateful to each one of you for persevering and sharing this extraordinary experience,” Beker concluded.

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As the situation transformed, Beker commented, “It’s awe-inspiring to observe this fantastic community glowing with warmth and compassion. I appreciate every one of you for sticking with us throughout this incredible adventure.

For a second time, the WIE Canada Summit took place annually, uniting the Canadian media sector spanning television, film, and music. This gathering aimed to honor and applaud the accomplishments of women who are propelling the industry. The event’s reappearance, organized once more by Access Canada, was a follow-up to the first WIE Canada summit in 2024, which saw the presence of renowned Canadian entertainers like Lilly Singh, Nia Vardalos, Devery Jacobs, Kim Cattrall, Catherine Reitman, and Jully Black.

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2025-05-30 03:54