UNITY, VISION, AND POWER: INSIDE THE 2025 WOMEN IN FILM HONORS GALA
The Willshire Ballroom getting ready for the ceremony (Ph. Raimondo Rossi)
By Raimondo Rossi for Milan Weekly – Beverly Hills, November 6, 2025
A celebration of courage, creativity, and connection in Hollywood’s most symbolic ballroom
The Women in Film Honors Gala 2025 took place on November 6 at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles — one of the most significant annual events celebrating women in film and television.
Organized by Women in Film (WIF), the gala brought together some of the most influential figures in the industry to honor creativity, equity, and inclusion.
An Elegant Beginning
From the very start, the evening radiated sophistication. The reception area was beautifully arranged, every detail refined, and the staff exceptionally attentive.
Guests were escorted to the cocktail reception, held in a separate section of the Beverly Hilton, just outside the legendary Beverly Ballroom, where the main ceremony would later unfold.
Soft lighting, refined décor, and engaging conversation set the tone. Filmmakers, producers, and artists mingled in a spirit of cultural curiosity and shared purpose.
Jane Fonda and Jamie Lee Curtis (Photo credit: Shutterstock for WIF / Milan Weekly media accredited for WIF)
A Theme of “Unity”
Ph. Raimondo Rossi
This year’s gala, presented by Max Mara with e.l.f. Cosmetics as Visionary Sponsor, was supported by Amazon MGM Studios, Apple TV, Disney, Netflix, Delta Air Lines, STARZ #TakeTheLead, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
The theme — “Unity” — emphasized the collective power of collaboration and the need for solidarity within the creative community.
More than a glamorous night, the gala raised essential funds for WIF’s education, career, and advocacy programs, which have supported women and nonbinary professionals in entertainment for over fifty years.
Words That We Loved the Most: Those That Defined the Evening
Throughout the night, several lines stood out, capturing the spirit of the event:
“The beauty of elevating each other.”
A phrase that reflected the collective energy and shared empowerment of the evening.
As Jane Fonda expressed,
“Fear is contagious, so the courage is.”
A statement that resonated deeply among attendees, celebrating courage as a creative and communal act.
Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film, affirmed the strength of the organization’s work:
“We are definitely effective!”
“Undivided, we do have the power.”
In one of the night’s most disarming and humorous moments, Tessa Thompson smiled and said:
“Shoutout to the 50 men in this room.”
And Kristen Wiig added a burst of authenticity that drew laughter and applause:
“Make cool shit and let them say what they want.”
Francesca Amiker, Tessa Thompson, Dede Gardner and Gabrielle Nadig (Ph. John Salangsang, Shutterstock for WIF)
Honorees and Highlights
Kristen Wiig (Ph. John Salangsang, Shutterstock for WIF)
The 2025 edition celebrated some of the most impactful figures in entertainment:
Jamie Lee Curtis, recipient of the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award, presented by Jane Fonda herself — greeted with a standing ovation wearing a shirt reading “RESIST.”
“Humanitarianism means empathy and compassion for others… these are essential forms of resistance,” said Fonda.
Curtis paid tribute to her mother, Janet Leigh, and the SHARE organization: “An extraordinary example of what happens when women come together for a common cause like Women in Film.”Kristen Wiig received the inaugural WIF Icon Award, presented by Kaia Gerber, recognizing her artistic freedom and fearless humor.
Tessa Thompson, Dede Gardner, Gabrielle Nadig, and Nia DaCosta were honored with the Crystal Award for Advocacy in Film for Hedda.
Regina King, Mara Brock Akil, and Judy Blume received the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV for their work on Forever.
Maude Apatow received the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award®, presented by Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, celebrating twenty years of partnership between Max Mara and WIF.
During her remarks, Kirsten Schaffer highlighted the power of storytelling:
“Stories that center women as leaders, scientists, artists, and politicians shape our ideas about who we are and who we can become. Let’s use our pens and voices to stand up for each other — because, undivided, we do have the power.”
The Atmosphere
From the first reception moments to the final applause, the evening unfolded with precision and elegance.
Inside the Beverly Ballroom, the setting was breathtaking — over two hundred round tables, illuminated by warm lighting, where honorees, directors, agents, and writers shared dinner and conversation.
The recurring words of the night summed up its essence:
“The beauty of elevating each other,” “Fear is contagious, so is courage,” “We are definitely effective,” “Undivided, we do have the power,” “Shoutout to the 50 men in this room,” and “Make cool shit and let them say what they want.”
Jamie Lee Curtis and Jane Fonda (Ph. John Salangsang, Shutterstock for WIF)
A Legacy Beyond the Screen
Founded in 1973, Women in Film Los Angeles has championed gender equity for over five decades, shaping the industry through advocacy, research, and mentorship.
Over the years, WIF has honored icons such as Lucille Ball, Halle Berry, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, Ava DuVernay, and Zendaya.
The 2025 edition reaffirmed a timeless message: through collaboration, vision, and unity, the entertainment industry continues to evolve — and to empower new generations of storytellers.
Raimondo Rossi, on the WIF Honors Gala red carpet
Atsuko Okatsuka, Kristen Schaffer and Lake Bell (Ph. John Salangsang, Shutterstock for WIF)
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