Women in Film honors Annette Bening, Katie Holmes

[June 18, 2011]  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Annette Bening, Katie Holmes, CBS President Nina Tassler, director Pamela Fryman and cinematographer Reed Morano have been recognized as leaders in their fields by Women in Film.

The nonprofit group honored the women Thursday at its annual Crystal and Lucy awards ceremony in Beverly Hills.

In accepting her award, Bening said she is "entering into a new phase" and "beginning again" and hinted at some interesting projects in the coming year. Holmes thanked her parents, who were in the audience, and husband Tom Cruise, "whose commitment to his work and family inspires me daily."

Tassler oversees primetime, daytime and late-night programming at CBS. Fryman is a director of "How I Met Your Mother." Morano's credits include 2008's "Frozen River."

Elizabeth Taylor was also recognized for her humanitarian efforts. Her granddaughter Naomi Wilding accepted the award.

Women in Film President Cathy Shulman dedicated the evening to Laura Ziskin, the "Spider Man" producer and Stand Up To Cancer co-founder producer who died earlier this week of breast cancer.

"Bridesmaids" star Melissa McCarthy sang and danced as host of the fundraising event at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where Martin Sheen, Geena Davis, Neil Patrick Harris, Elle Fanning and Jenna Elfman were among the celebrity guests.

Women in Film was established in 1973 to help women succeed in the entertainment industry by providing scholarships, classes and other services and support.

___

Online:

http://www.wif.org/

[Associated Press; By SANDY COHEN]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.