The 2018 Athena Film Festival (AFF) is in full swing. Last night’s opening film, Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton’s “Battle of the Sexes,” was followed by a Q&A with Billie Jean King herself. The biopic sees Emma Stone playing King as she preps for her legendary 1973 tennis match against former Wimbledon champ and proud chauvinist Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). The dramedy offers a refreshing — and all-too-rare — look at a female leader. To help ensure that more of these kinds of stories are told, AFF highlights three to five screenplays about strong female protagonists that have yet to be made into films.
Launched in 2014, The Athena List attempts to remedy the dearth of female characters and misconceptions about female-led films. A committee of industry professionals chooses which titles will be recognized. Among this year’s judges were “The Good Lie” screenwriter Margaret Nagle, “East Los High” producer Maurício Mota, and reviewer and critic Inkoo Kang.
This year’s winners include Lori Bell Leahy’s “Throw Like a Girl,” the story of Mamie Johnson, who played pro baseball in the Negro League, and Betty Sullivan’s “Saving Esperanza,” inspired by the true story of a businesswoman in Mexico who smuggled a dying child whose mother was murdered into the United States.
Check out all of the winners, finalists, and judges below. Other films screening at AFF this year include Pentagon Papers drama “The Post” and “Mankiller,” a doc about activist Wilma Mankiller. The fest, co-founded by Women and Hollywood Founder and Publisher Melissa Silverstein, will run through February 25 at Barnard College.
Winners
Saving Esperanza by Betty Sullivan
Based on a true story, the harrowing journey of a businesswoman in Mexico who rescues a dying child and smuggles her into the U.S. after her mother is killed by local thugs.
Throw Like A Girl by Lori Bell Leahy
The remarkable story of Mamie Johnson, one of three women who played professional baseball in the Negro League.
True North by Katherine Ruppe
The haunted survivor of an attempted double murder must confront her past after discovering that the person convicted may not be guilty and the real killer is closer than she thinks.
WHITE by A. Sayeeda Moreno
In the near future, Luna searches for her stolen newborn and saves her daughter, her community, and sparks a revolution in this sci-fi thriller.
Athena List Finalists
Stick With It by Phillip Catherwood
Wingman Lost by Mikayla Daniels
The Sound of Darkness by Melody Cooper
The Title by Sarah Callies
Judges
Maurício Mota — co-president of Wise Entertainment — Producer of Hulu’s East Los High
Margaret Nagle — screenwriter, TV writer and producer — Boardwalk Empire, Red Band Society
Inkoo Kang — critic and culture writer — Slate, The Atlantic, Wired
Monique Keller — marketing & distribution manager — Amazon Studios
Rebecca McCarthy — partnerships & promotions manager — Amazon Studios
