Following the tentative end to the SAG-AFTRA strike, attendees of this year’s Academy Women’s Luncheon were in high spirits—and dressed in plenty of tweed.
(L-R) Kristie Macosko Krieger, America Ferrera and Lupita Nyong’o, all wearing CHANEL, attend this year’s Academy Women’s Luncheon; PHOTO BY STEFANIE KEENAN/WIREIMAGE
Back for a second year, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (oscars.org) and brand partner CHANEL (chanel.com) came together on Nov. 9, 2023, for the Academy Women’s Luncheon—an empowering female-focused event. Spectacular views and star-studded guests set the stage for the gathering, which celebrated the sixth anniversary of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, the Academy’s prestigious program that aims to support and mentor emerging female filmmakers.
From start to finish, buzzy energy radiated throughout the crowd of pink-and-tweed-clad attendees, where glasses of minty lemonade and talk of the tentative end to the four-month-long SAG-AFTRA strike—which occurred nearly one day before—circulated.
Many notable guests attended, including brand ambassador Lily-Rose Depp, who posed for photo-ops in a multi-colored CHANEL fantasy tweed jacket and skirt. At the same time, Leslie Mann and daughter Maude Apatow shared a heartwarming moment on the red carpet. Over at the main table, keynote presenter America Ferrara struck up a conversation with this year’s U.S. Gold Fellowship for Women recipient, Erica Eng.
Lily-Rose Depp, wearing CHANEL; PHOTO BY JASON SEAN WEISS/BFA.COM
Mother-daughter duo, Leslie Mann (L) and Maude Apatow (R) wearing CHANEL; PHOTO BY JASON SEAN WEISS/BFA.COM
America Ferrera (L) and Erica Eng (R) attend the Academy Women’s Luncheon; PHOTO BY STEFANIE KEENAN/WIREIMAGE
Thanks to CHANEL, the afternoon’s outfits made a bold statement. Daisy Jones & The Six star Riley Keough struck attention in a shimmering gold and white tweed short jacket with an open collar, ruffled sleeves and a pleated skirt from the Spring-Summer 2023 Haute Couture Collection. Twilight actress Kristen Stewart donned a black-and-pink embroidered silk jacket from CHANEL’s Fall-Winter 2023/24 ready-to-wear collection, and Lupita Nyong’o, known for notable roles in Us and Black Panther, rocked a black and silver tweed jacket-short set from the Fall-Winter 2023/2024 pre-collection.
Kristen Stewart, wearing CHANEL; PHOTO BY JASON SEAN WEISS/ BFA.COM
Riley Keough, wearing CHANEL; PHOTO BY JASON SEAN WEISS/ BFA.COM
H.E.R, wearing CHANEL; PHOTO BY JASON SEAN WEISS/BFA.COM
Other CHANEL-adorned celebs in attendance included Sadie Sink, Gina Gammell, Molly Gordon, H.E.R, Patty Jenkins, Greta Lee, Kristie Macosko-Krieger, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Ashley Park and A.V. Rockwell.
As guests took their seats, Academy President Janet Yang delivered a powerful speech thanking each attendee for attending before inviting actress and former Academy governor Annette Bening to the stage. Following the end of the strike, Yang was elated to announce Bening’s newest film, Nyad, was released last month.
Bening quickly captured the audience’s attention by divulging the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women winner Erica Eng. Eng, a fifth-generation Chinese-American director, is praised for her short film, Americanized, featured at the Atlanta and Newport Beach Film Festivals, among others, and has received 25 prestigious awards. Most recently, her film, The Ghost, premiered as a part of Disney’s Launchpad shorts incubator program.
Erica Eng is awarded the 2023 U.S. Academy Gold Fellowship for Women; PHOTO BY TREVOR TOTARO/THE ACADEMY
As a recipient of the Academy’s Gold Fellowship program, Eng will receive direct industry support and mentorship, plus once-in-a-liftime networking from other acclaimed female filmmakers and a monetary prize.
Following Eng’s keynote presenter, Ferrara, best known for her appearances in The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants, Real Women Have Curves, and most recently, the record-breaking film Barbie hit the stage. A spokesperson for inclusivity in the film industry, America Ferrara shared her story as fuel for other women looking to enact change in the entertainment business.
“We all know that every victory for women on screen is a testament to countless hours of battle,” she said. “Endless creative and financial negotiations that determine whether our stories get told authentically and successfully. From the bottom of my heart, I extend my deepest thanks to each of you in this room who show up in countless ways—writing, directing, producing, managing, agenting, financing and advocating—so that the work of women filmmakers gets made and shared in the world,” she continued. “I know that together we can grow our collective possibilities and strengthen a global community of women storytellers, artists and truth-tellers.”
Annette Bening, wearing CHANEL; PHOTO BY JASON SEAN WEISS/BFA.COM
The Academy of Motion Pictures and CHANEL actively work as resources for the underheard voices in the entertainment industry. CHANEL’s support of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women reflects the House’s deep commitment to the art of film and dedication to nurturing the next generation of women filmmakers.
Since its inception, the House of Chanel has been linked to the world of film, with House founder and visionary Gabrielle Chanel helping to lead filmmakers of her time. Her legacy of fostering creativity lives on through Chanel’s dedication to providing resources and opportunities to help empower women in the film industry.
The afternoon was nothing short of a success, an inspiring event from CHANEL and the Academy. Angeleno sincerely congratulates this year’s U.S. Gold Fellowship for Women recipient, Erica Eng.
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