The Athena Film Festival, that highlights women’s leadership, will return for the 4th edition on Barnard’s campus in Morningside Heights, New York City from February 6 to 9, 2014. Philanthropist Sherry Lansing, former Chair and CEO of Paramount Pictures and former President of 20th Century Fox will be honored as one this year’s recipients of the Athena Film Festival Awards, which honor noted actors, directors, producers and other members of the film industry for their leadership and creative accomplishments. Sherry Lansing will receive The Laura Ziskin Lifetime Achievement Award. Additional awardees include Keri Putnam, Executive Director of the Sundance Institute, Callie Khouri, Academy Award winning screenwriter of Thelma and Louise, and creator of the series Nashville, and Kasi Lemmons, actress, director and writer of the current film Black Nativity as well as Talk to Me, Eve’s Bayou and The Caveman’s Valentine.

“It is my great honor to receive an award in Laura Ziskin’s name from the Athena Film Festival,” said Sherry Lansing.  “Laura helped lead the way for so many women in Hollywood and she would be incredibly proud of the filmmakers highlighted at this event.” 

The Athena Film Festival also announced the creation of the Athena List, which will highlight between 3-5 completed screenplays with strong leading female characters that have yet to be made into films. The first group of selected screenplays on the Athena List will be announced at the festival.

image via Facebook | Director Cecilia Peck and Producer Inbal Lessner— at Barnard College.