Academy, take note: “Wonder Woman” helmer Patty Jenkins will be honored with Variety’s Creative Impact in Directing Award. According to a press release, the superheroine film’s star, Gal Gadot, will present the prize to Jenkins at the 2018 Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) on January 3. This will mark the first time a woman has ever received the accolade.
The Creative Impact in Directing Award will celebrate Jenkins’ career, including “Wonder Woman’s” critical and commercial triumphs, her Oscar-winning feature debut, “Monster,” and her TV directing work such as “Arrested Development” and “The Killing.”
“Patty Jenkins has directed one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of the year with ‘Wonder Woman,’” Variety Co-Editor in Chief Claudia Eller stated. “The film grossed $820 million worldwide and has inspired women — and men — old and young, to feel as empowered as the superhero at its center. Patty also scored a big one for female directors, which are in short supply in Hollywood.”
Gadot will receive the PSIFF’s Rising Star Award on January 2.
“Wonder Woman” was named one of AFI’s 10 best movies of 2017 and won the AFI Award for Movie of the Year. Jenkins and Gadot shared the Spotlight Award from the National Board of Review and the film is up for the best action stunt ensemble SAG Award. Although the Golden Globes failed to recognize Jenkins, or any other women in the best director category, many are pulling for her to receive an Oscar nod for helming “Wonder Woman.”
“Wonder Woman 2” is scheduled to open November 1, 2019. Jenkins became the highest-paid female director ever when she officially signed on for the sequel.
The filmmakers on Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch list, which includes Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”), Chloé Zhao (“The Rider”), Augustine Frizzell (“Never Goin’ Back”), and Claire McCarthy (“Ophelia”), will also be honored at PSIFF, which will run from January 2 — January 15.
