On Thursday night, WIF (formerly known as Women in Film) kicked off their annual gala to raise funds for education, career development and advocacy programs. Among the night’s honorees were Mara Brock Akil and Regina King, who brought Judy Blume’s novel, Forever, to the small screen, and Tessa Thompson, whose latest film, Hedda, is the first project produced by her company, Viva Maude.

The theme of the night was unity, so it was only fitting that Queen Latifah’s U.N.I.T.Y. wafted through the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom as the lights dimmed. After comedian Atsuko Okatsuka opened the program with heart, humor and a nod to all of the powerful women in attendance, legendary actress Jane Fonda took to the stage to present the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award to Jamie Lee Curtis.

Kare

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