Uptown Ventures Group, the parent company of UPTOWN Magazine, celebrated “Women Directors in Television and Film” at its annual, black-tie, invitation-only “Uptown Honors Hollywood” pre-Oscar gala on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 in Los Angeles.
The magazine doled out accolades to history maker Dee Rees for her Oscar nomination on Netflix’s critically-acclaimed film, “Mudbound.” She is the first African-American woman to be nominated for writing an adapted screenplay. Rounding out a quartet of honorees were award-winning directors Gina Prince-Bythewood (Fox’s “Shots Fired” and “Beyond the Lights”), Stella Meghie (“Everything, Everything”) and actress/director Chandra Wilson (ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy).” “Uptown Honors Hollywood” was hosted by writer/producer Chris Spencer of BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood.”
As a prelude to the Academy Awards®, Uptown’s pre-Oscar event brought together the entertainment industry’s most prolific creators – that is, writers, producers, filmmakers, actors and actresses — for a pre-reception and sit-down dinner, followed by a private after-party.
Attendees to the event included actresses Jurnee Smollette-Bell, DeWanda Wise, Denise Boutte, Tika Sumpter and actor Dorian Missick, along with reality star and fashion guru Miss J (“America’s Next Top Model”), “Extra” tv personality Tanika Ray, writer/producer Misha Green (“Underground”), producer Carole Ann Shine, producer Re’Shaun Frear, plus, R & B crooner Kenny Lattimore and singer/songwriter Estelle – just to name a few. For the night of glamour, “Uptown Honors Hollywood” is made possible by the generous support of Lexus as the returning presenting sponsor.
“For Black History Month, we are extremely excited to recognize the achievements of African American women who are trailblazers behind the lens and telling diverse, compelling stories as filmmakers,” said Len Burnett, co-CEO and chief revenue officer of UPTOWN Ventures Group. “Not only is it important to acknowledge the contributions of women in filmmaking, but we must advocate for their equality and empower them to make advances in the industry.”
In accepting their awards, each honoree acknowledged the impact of each other’s work, and a diligence to break the glass ceiling and continue to open the pathway for other women behind them.
Past honorees include such award-winning individuals as actress Nia Long, writer/producer Will Packer and producer Charles D. King of MACRO, plus directors Malcolm D. Lee, Lee Daniels, Ava DuVernay as well as Reggie and Warrington Hudlin.
