Women in Film honors Oscar nominees, stresses need for progress

The evening included frank conversations about the barriers women continue to face in Hollywood.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Women in Film organization gathered in West Hollywood to celebrate this year's Oscar nominees and highlight the ongoing push for gender equity in the film industry. The event, held at the former home of screen legend Bette Davis, featured conversations about the challenges women face, including a decline in the number of female directors of Oscar-contending films. However, the nominees were praised for the breadth of women's stories represented on screen this year.

Why it matters

The Women in Film organization has advocated for greater representation of women in the film industry for over 50 years. This event underscores the continued need for progress, as women filmmakers and performers still face significant barriers to recognition and advancement, despite some incremental gains.

The details

The event featured several Oscar nominees, including Kate Hudson, who is up for best actress for "Song Sung Blue," and May Hong, who voices a character in the best animated feature nominee "KPOP Demon Hunters." Pippa Harris, producer of the best picture nominee "Hamnet," noted the significance of female leadership on that project. However, writer-directors Julia Aks and Steve Pinder pointed to a decline in the number of women directing films this awards season, which the CEO of Women in Film, Kirsten Schaffer, acknowledged as a concerning trend.

  • The Women in Film event took place on Friday, March 14, 2026, just hours before the Academy Awards ceremony.

The players

Women in Film

An organization that has advocated for greater representation of women in the film industry for over 50 years.

Bette Davis

A legendary screen actress whose former West Hollywood home hosted the Women in Film event, underscoring the night's themes of legacy and empowerment.

Alicia Silverstone

An actress who expressed her pride and honor at being at the event held at Bette Davis's house.

Lisa Ann Walter

An actress from the TV show "Abbott Elementary" who said she values spaces that spotlight women and their work.

Kate Hudson

A best actress nominee for the film "Song Sung Blue" who said the experience of being part of this year's awards season feels like a win already.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm so honored to be here at Bette Davis's house and just proud that I get to do what I do. I'm so lucky.”

— Alicia Silverstone (abc7.com)

“It's fun, I love going to events like this where I can support my fellow women artists.”

— Lisa Ann Walter, Actress, "Abbott Elementary" (abc7.com)

“For this there was a lot more to prepare for, the accent and the songs. I know it sounds cliché but this feels like the win already, just being part of this year and the circuit.”

— Kate Hudson, Best Actress Nominee, "Song Sung Blue" (abc7.com)

“It was quite a tough movie to make because it deals with very dark, difficult themes. The people behind the film... are obviously all women and it was just a joy to work with fantastically creative women.”

— Pippa Harris, Producer, "Hamnet" (abc7.com)

“We're at an all-time low right now for female directors.”

— Julia Aks, Writer-Director (abc7.com)

What’s next

The Academy Awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced, is scheduled to take place later that evening.

The takeaway

While the event celebrated the achievements of women in film, it also highlighted the persistent challenges and barriers they continue to face, particularly in directing roles. The low number of female directors of Oscar-contending films underscores the need for continued advocacy and progress toward greater gender equity in the industry.