Chicago – Women in Film (Wif) Chicago is a advocate group for women filmmakers, on-set professionals and executives in the creative arts, and every year they present their Focus Awards to significant contributors in those arenas. The honorees in 2014 were Shira Piven, Susan Credle, Erin Sarofsky and Christina Varotsis.
The event took place on November 5th, 2014, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, and was hosted by marketing executive Melissa Thornley. Each of the recipients were feted with a video tribute, and each told their stories when they accepted the award. HollywoodChicago.com spoke with three of the honorees, with a diversity of voices for women in the film and creative industries.
Shira Piven, Film and Theater Director
Shira Piven is part of theater royalty in Chicago, as her parents Byrne and Joyce founded the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Illinois, and her brother Jeremy is a notable film, theater and television actor.
The event took place on November 5th, 2014, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, and was hosted by marketing executive Melissa Thornley. Each of the recipients were feted with a video tribute, and each told their stories when they accepted the award. HollywoodChicago.com spoke with three of the honorees, with a diversity of voices for women in the film and creative industries.
Shira Piven, Film and Theater Director
Shira Piven is part of theater royalty in Chicago, as her parents Byrne and Joyce founded the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Illinois, and her brother Jeremy is a notable film, theater and television actor.
- 11/29/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Ever since New York Magazine got its hands on the script for A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas back in April, it has been hard to contain excitement for it. With promises of more weed-related hijinks, waffle robots, druggie babies, and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris, the films sounds like it could be as much fun as the previous two installments. The production has had a small black cloud above it for awhile, however, as it was unknown as to whether Kal Penn, who plays Kumar, would be able to leave his job at the White House to make the film. Apparently, that black cloud is gone. Via his Twitter account, director Todd Strauss-Schulson has posted the first photo from the set: chairs with the names "Kal Penn," "Christina Varotsis" and "Todd Strauss-Schulson" emblazoned on them in Christmas font, as well as a marijuana leaf decked out as a Christmas...
- 6/21/2010
- cinemablend.com
Ever since New York Magazine got its hands on the script for A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas back in April, it has been hard to contain excitement for it. With promises of more weed-related hijinks, waffle robots, druggie babies, and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris, the films sounds like it could be as much fun as the previous two installments. The production has had a small black cloud above it for awhile, however, as it was unknown as to whether Kal Penn, who plays Kumar, would be able to leave his job at the White House to make the film. Apparently, that black cloud is gone. Via his Twitter account, director Todd Strauss-Schulson has posted the first photo from the set: chairs with the names "Kal Penn," "Christina Varotsis" and "Todd Strauss-Schulson" emblazoned on them in Christmas font, as well as a marijuana leaf decked out as a Christmas...
- 6/21/2010
- cinemablend.com
Ally McBeal star Gil Bellows is teaming with Kissing Jessica Stein star Jennifer Westfeldt to star in writer-director Stu Pollard's indie dramedy Keep Your Distance. Christian Kane, Kim Raver, Elizabeth Pena, Stacy Keach, Jamie Harrold, Rick Overton and Cynthia Martells round out the cast. Shooting is under way in Kentucky. Distance is described as a character-driven project centering on a radio talk-show host (Bellows) and what happens when he meets a pharmaceutical sales rep from out of town (Westfeldt). They accidentally form a bond based on something lacking in all of their other relationships: trust. Pollard is producing the $1.2 million-budgeted feature along with producer Christina Varotsis. A native of Kentucky, Pollard is repped by Innovative Artists Agency and Chris Ridenhour at Tavel Entertainment. He made his directorial debut in 1999's Nice Guys Sleep Alone. Westfeldt is repped by UTA and Tammy Rosen at the Personal Management Co. She recently wrapped another indie, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. Bellows is repped by ICM and Brookside Artists Management. He next stars in Blind Horizon.
- 7/17/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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