The Athena Film Festival has named director, producer, and writer J.J. Abrams its Leading Man. Abrams will receive the fest’s 2018 Athena Leading Man Award in honor of his “extraordinary career and continued support and advocacy of women in the entertainment industry,” a press release has announced.
With the female protagonists of his shows “Felicity” and “Alias” and his casting of Daisy Ridley as the central character of the new “Star Wars” trilogy, Abrams has long been a champion of women in entertainment. He’s also been an ally for women behind the camera.
“I am deeply humbled to be recognized by the Athena Film Festival. Any good I’ve done has been achieved because I have worked alongside women, and I share my gratitude with all of them for being honored with this award,” Abrams stated.
Abrams directed box office sensation “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and produced dozens of projects such as “10 Cloverfield Lane,” “11.22.63,” and “Westworld.” He will next direct “Star Wars: Episode IX,” set to hit theaters December 20, 2019.
“We could not be more thrilled to honor J.J. Abrams as the 2018 Athena Leading Man. He has been championing women in the industry throughout his entire career, and through his leadership has continued to push the gender equality conversation,” said Melissa Silverstein, co-founder of the Athena Film Festival and Founder/Publisher of Women and Hollywood.
“At this time, it is particularly important for us to recognize men who are standing strong with women and joining our call for gender equality. He is a true ally and we are incredibly proud to have him on our side,” added Athena co-founder Kathryn Kolbert.
“Ghostbusters” and “Bridesmaids” director Paul Feig won the inaugural Leading Man award in 2016. “Selma” and “A United Kingdom” actor David Oyelowo took home the accolade earlier this year.
The other Athena 2018 awardees are Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple (Laura Ziskin Lifetime Achievement Award), BAFTA-winning writer and director Amma Asante (Athena Award), and cabaret artist and actress Bridget Everett (Inaugural Breakthrough Award).
The Athena Film Festival will be held February 22–25 at Barnard College in New York City. Its co-chairs include Debra Martin Chase, Geralyn Dreyfous, Feig, Sherry Lansing, Jon Levin, Dylan McDermott, Sheila Nevins, Oyelowo, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Susan Rovner, Regina K. Scully, and Rachel Weisz.
Check out Abrams’ bio below.
J.J. Abrams is a writer, director and producer and the founder of Bad Robot Productions.
Abrams wrote or co-write films such as Regarding Henry, Forever Young, Joy Ride and Armageddon before co-creating the Golden Globe-nominated television show Felicity with Matt Reeves. He followed that with Alias and the Emmy Award-winning series Lost (which he created with Damon Lindelof). Abrams received an Emmy for directing the Lost pilot episode, and went on to produce series such as Fringe and Person of Interest.
In 2006, Abrams directed his first feature film, Mission Impossible: III, and followed that with the critically-praised hit films Star Trek, Super 8 and Star Trek Into Darkness — each scored by longtime collaborator Michael Giacchino. In 2015 Abrams directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which he also produced and co-wrote with Lawrence Kasdan. Abrams has continued with the Mission: Impossible and Star Trek franchises as a producer, while also launching his own film franchise with the Cloverfield series.
He will next produce, direct and co-write (with Chris Terrio) Star Wars: Episode IX. Abrams is currently producing the television series Westworld, Castle Rock and Lovecraft Country and the films Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Mission: Impossible 6, God Particle and Overlord.
In addition to his film and television work, Abrams also conceived the novel S. with writer Doug Dorst, which became a New York Times Best Seller in 2013, and is currently producing The Play That Goes Wrong, which premiered on Broadway in April of this year.
Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath, co-CEO of Bad Robot, live in Los Angeles and have three children.
