Inside the Star-Studded Annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees Celebration

Kate HudsonJohn Sarangsan/Shutterstock

In a whirlwind of festivities leading up to the Academy Awards on Friday night, Hollywood came together to raise a toast to female talent in front of and behind the camera at the 19th annual Celebration of Oscar Nominations for Women in Film. Hosted by Max Mara, the evening honors those who have helped drive greater gender equality in the industry.

Around 6:30 p.m., faces from across Hollywood — including actresses, directors, producers and costume designers — began filing into the Wheelhouse, a private residence in West Hollywood that was once a party house frequented by the late Bette Davis. Guests milled around the outdoor charcuterie board as the evening’s honorees posed in a riff. Others, including real housewives of beverly hills Alumna Lisa Rinna and her husband, Harry Hamlin, lined up at the bar, perused the cocktail menu and chose from signature drinks: The Leading Lady and the Best Picture Spritz.

The official event soon began, with attendees circling the pool under colored lights as dusk began to fall. WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer was the first to take the stage. “Many of us have spent our lives, even our lives, fighting for a seat that was never considered for us,” she told the crowd, adding: “Tonight, we celebrate. Not because the work is done, but because we refuse to stop.”

WIF Board Chair Syrinthia Studer followed suit, dedicating the celebration to “the women who show up to tell the stories that need to be told, who stand in front of the camera and command the camera, and those who stand behind the camera to shape the world at large,” she said. The winners then took the stage one by one to announce their names and 2026 Oscar nominations.

Kate Hudson is one of those people who needs no introduction in a figure-hugging floor-length Max Mara gown. “Hi, I’m Kate Hudson, and I’m famous for a movie called ” Song Shenglan“, she said, drawing loud cheers from attendees. Handing the microphone to Diane Warren, who is up for best original song. dear methe songwriter addressed the audience, asking: “Did you see that? Song Shenglan? ! So fucking awesome. ”