Award-winning Cutters commercial editor / partner Kathryn Hempel, who edited the internationally acclaimed video, “Like a Girl” for P&G’s Always/Leo Burnett, is one of four by Women in Film Chicago Focus Award honorees, Thursday, Jan. 28.
The annual award recognizing women of accomplishment in Chicago’s media and entertainment industry, will take place at the new ArcLight Cinemas, starting at 6 p.m. with the Red Carpet and cocktails.
“I’ve been been a strong supporter of WIFC for years and I’m proud to be one of this year’s honorees,” says Hemple, a consistent award-winning editor who has been with Cutters for more than two decades and a flourishing fine artist.
She is the founder of the ever-expanding AICE Camp Kuleshov trailer editing contest for postproduction assistants. “I take great pride in the high quality of work, creativity and collaboration the contest delivers,” she says.
Hemple is joined by local honorees:
Jean Batthany, DDB Chicago EVP/ECD, an art director by trade, is in charge of Kohler and American Cancer Society creative at DDB. Her work over 20 years at major New York and Chicago agencies has brought her many awards including, ADDYs, Clios, Effies, Mobius and London International. She is a board member of many organizations, supports mentorship programs and advocates for changing the ratio of men to women in creative leadership role
Kris Swanberg, actress, writer, director, whose feature dramady, “Unexpected,” was the 2015 Sundance Grand Jury Award. She has been married to filmmaker Joe Swanberg since 2007 and they have two children.
And the national honoree is:
Megan Mercier, actress and writer, who co-wrote the acclaimed feature “Unexpected” with Kris Swanberg and also acted in it. She is also one of Joe Swanberg’s ensemble actors, having appeared in “National Christmas,” “Autoerotic” and his other films.
WIFC’s annual Focus Awards honors the accomplishments of “superwomen” who continually put Chicago on the map, and the event is a fundraiser to provide quality programming, networking and mentorship opportunities for women in media and entertainment.
Tckets are $50 for WIFC members, $65 non-members. At 1500 N. Clybourn; program and awards, 7:30 p.m. post-reception celebration, 9 p.m.
