Filmmaker Tia Lessin was chosen by a jury comprised of members of Women In Film, a non-profit organization devoted to the development, support, and promotion of women in the field of entertainment. Her film, Trouble the Water, follows Kimberly Rivers Roberts and her husband Scott both during and after Hurricane Katrina as they battle floodwaters, government neglect, and financial hardship with a grace and spirit that inspires even the most jaded heart.
The L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth "Vision" Award was presented to Tia Lessin, the documentary filmmaker of Trouble the Water, at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The presentation took place on Monday, January 21st as a highlight of Variety's annual "10 Directors to Watch" event. The award, including a $15,000 donation to the filmmaker, was presented by actress and L'Oréal Paris spokesperson Andie MacDowell and Jane Fleming, president of Women In Film.
Filmmaker Tia Lessin was chosen by a jury comprised of members of Women In Film, a non-profit organization devoted to the development, support, and promotion of women in the field of entertainment. Her film, Trouble the Water, follows Kimberly Rivers Roberts and her husband Scott both during and after Hurricane Katrina as they battle floodwaters, government neglect, and financial hardship with a grace and spirit that inspires even the most jaded heart.
As one of the Sundance Film Festival's sponsors, L'Oréal Paris created the Women of Worth "Vision" award to honor a female filmmaker whose work reflects the spirit of L'Oréal Paris' Women of Worth initiative, which was inspired by the signature phrase "Because You're Worth It." The program recognizes women from around the country who serve their communities, inspire others by example, and have an innate sense of social responsibility and act on it.
"As a proud spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris, I have communicated the "Because You're Worth It" message many times, and know firsthand how empowering it is to say, and how empowering it feels," said Andie MacDowell at Variety's event.
"On behalf of Women In Film, I want to say thank you to L'Oréal Paris for its commitment to women and for providing this very important grant to recognize remarkable female filmmakers. I am proud that together, we can recognize a filmmaker who has collaborated in creating a beautiful and touching film that sheds much needed light and humanity on the plight of New Orleans and its citizens," said Jane Fleming.
L'Oréal Paris teamed with Women In Film for this selection process because, for 35 years, Women In Film has been committed to creating opportunities for women in the entertainment business and nurturing their independent vision. Tia Lessin received a $15,000 cash award from L'Oréal Paris to help further her creative vision through filmmaking. The first L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth "Vision" Award was presented to Screenwriter Cherien Dabis at the Tribeca All Access awards ceremony at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2007.
