The Women’s International Film & Television Showcase (TheWIFTS) and TheWIFTS Foundation announced its 2017 honorees late last year – exceptional women and films that reflect the ethos and motto of TheWIFTS Foundation: Passion & Integrity, Commerce & Creativity, Equality not Hierarchy. Each woman honored, and each film selected and curated, have one objective in mind, to bring recognition to ‘singular women as individuals’ in their work and profession, through the art form of film, the 21st century visual communicator. Honorees and guests attended an exclusive intimate luncheon, presided over by Mistress of Ceremonies, actress Julie Carmen.
TheWIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards, now in its 10th year, marking a total of 300 Awards given to ‘singular women as individuals,’ is held alternatively in Los Angeles and in London.
Gal Gadot was honored as The Woman of the Decade (Film). Beyond the talented acting she brought to the role of Wonder Woman, as a woman, Gadot created a societal shift in the ongoing issue of gender equality. Taking US$800 million at the box office speaks volumes about the fiscal aspect of this shift –  but the sociological shift is far deeper and in retrospect more important.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, was honored as The Woman of The Decade (Society). Her foresight and fortitude are respected and admired by all and her reign as leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) is one of the longest in political history worldwide. As a ‘singular woman as an individual’ she has an indefinable quality that has enabled her to hold this position.
In attendance, Mayes C. Rubeo, Costume Designer for the visually detailed Apocalypto, was honored with the Sylvie Nissen Best Costume Design Award, renowned for her creativity and vision on such high-profile films as Thor, Ragbarok; Avatar and The Great Wall, Rubeo stated that usually designers for “monarch” movies are honored with Best Costume but she specializes in creating the costumes for imaginary universes from scratch.
Carmen, a past honoree and  a recent member of theWIFTS.org team, was honored to serve as MC, syaing that she, “admires the model of “Paying it Forward”.

Casting Director, Victoria Thomas (Fences, Hidden Figures, Roman J. Israel), was honored with the Diversity Award for her casting of Kathryn Bigelow’s unrelentingly honest film, Detroit, with 80 percent unknown actors in lead roles. Diversity isn’t just ethnicity – it’s about the vision to look to see things differently.
Jan Creamer was honored with The Otilia Animal Advocacy Award. At the awards luncheon, Creamer showed a heart wrenching film about the work her organization, Animal Defenders International, does to rescue wild animals from circuses.
Lisa Szilagyi was honored with the Career Achievement Award for creating Aurelia Foundation that works to help young adults with special needs aging out of the school system.
TheWIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards, now in its 10th year, marking a total of 300 Awards given to ‘singular women as individuals,’ is held alternatively in Los Angeles and in London.
A past recipient of theWIFTS Elizabeth Grant’s Entrepreneur Award, Carmen is currently Clinical Professor of Yoga Therapy for Mental Health at Venice Family Clinic, a program she created and launched through Loyola Marymount University but she’s still very active as an actress, co-starring with Eddie Olmos and Ryan Guzman in the upcoming Windows on the World and opposite Peter Fonda in You Can’t Say No.
For a complete list of winners go CLICK HERE.
The Women’s International Film & Television Shorts Showcase (TheWIFTSS) was founded in 2008 by Elspeth Tavares. With the same aims and objectives in mind, TheWIFTSS recognizes women producers, directors and cinematographers worldwide in film and television who create ‘Shorts’ as a ‘Showcase’ of their talents as they pursue their individual dreams as filmmakers.