SIXTH ANNUAL ATHENA FILM FESTIVAL TO HONOR PAUL FEIG WITH INAUGURAL “ATHENA LEADING MAN” AWARD
The festival will honor a strong advocate for women onscreen and behind the scenes It takes place February 18 – 21, 2016.
The Athena Film Festival announced today that director, producer and screenwriter Paul Feig (BRIDESMAIDS, SPY, THE HEAT), will receive the inaugural “ATHENA LEADING MAN” AWARD at the sixth annual Athena Film Festival on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Celebrating his extraordinary body of work, support and outspoken stance for women throughout his career, Feig is the first male to ever be honored by the Festival. The Athena Film Festival will take place February 18 – 21, 2016 at Barnard College.
Feig has been a champion of women for most of his career. He has proven that funny and strong women are box office gold through successful directorial efforts, including SPY, starring Melissa McCarthy, THE HEAT, starring Sandra Bullock & Melissa McCarthy, and BRIDESMAIDS, starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne. Feig recently completed directing this summer’s highly-anticipated GHOSTBUSTERS, starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, which will be in theaters on July 15, 2016.
“There is nothing more important to me than creating meaningful, diverse and three-dimensional roles for women in front of the camera and doing whatever I can to help move the industry toward complete equality for their creative visions and voices behind the camera. So, to be named as Athena’s first male honoree means more to me than I can ever express. I am truly honored,” said Paul Feig.
“We are thrilled to honor Paul Feig as the first-ever male honoree at the 2016 Athena Film Festival,” said Melissa Silverstein & Kathryn Kolbert, co-founders of the Athena Film Festival. “We feel it is crucial to recognize and honor not only the women who are breaking barriers, but also the men who support and advocate for them. Paul’s body of work is a true testament to his commitment to talented women in the entertainment industry. We cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
Festival tickets and passes are now on sale. To purchase tickets and for more information please visit http://www.athenafilmfestival.com.
