About

Welcome to AWFJ!

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Inc. (AWFJ), was founded in 2006 by Jennifer Merin, Maitland McDonagh, Joanna Langfield and Jenny Halper. We were incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization in New York State in October, 2006.

Our members are highly qualified professional female movie critics, reporters and feature writers working in print, broadcast and online media.

Our purpose is to support work by and about women - both in front of and behind the cameras - through intra-group promotional activities, outreach programs and by presenting the annual EDA Awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments (the best and worst) by and about women in the movies.

AWFJ keeps an active and interactive record of fiction feature and documentary films by and/or about women, and/or are of particular interest to women because they focus on women’s issues. We welcome information that will allow us to keep our lists updated. Lists are made available to members and the general public on our Web site.

AWFJ’s annual EDA Awards are announced in December. Films by and about women are eligible for awards. There are two classification of awards categories: “Best of” and “Special Mention”. Each of the awards in the “Best of” category is presented annually, while “Special Mention” Awards categories are subject to change each year, depending on the list of films released during the year.

AWFJ supports outreach initiatives made by members and/or other groups with analogous interests, similar values and comparable professional standards. We look forward to collaborating with organizations that, like AWFJ, work to support women in all aspects of filmmaking.

Our Mission:

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Inc. (AWFJ), a not-for-profit corporation, is an association of professional female movie critics, reporters and feature writers working in print, broadcast and online media, dedicated to supporting work by and about women - both in front of and behind the cameras - through intra-group promotional activities, outreach programs and by presenting awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments (the best and worst) by and about women in the movies.

Members:

  • Thelma Adams - US Weekly
  • Marjorie Baumgarten - Austin Chronicle
  • Amy Benfer - Metro NY
  • Sheila Benson - Seattle Weekly
  • Carol Cling - Las Vegas Review Journal
  • Sheigh Crabtree - Los Angeles Times
  • Marcy Dermansky - About.com
  • Laura Emerick - Chicago Sun Times
  • Lexi Feinberg - CinemaBlend.com
  • Nikki Finke - LA Weekly/DeadlineHollywood.com
  • Cynthia Fuchs - PopMatters.com
  • Mihal Gartenberg - WKCR/NY 1
  • Susan Granger - SSG Syndicate
  • Jenny Halper - Track Entertainment (Secretary)
  • Esther Iverem - SeeingBlack.com
  • MaryAnne Johanson - Film.com/FlickFilosopher.com
  • Lisa Kennedy - Denver Post
  • Joanna Langfield - The Movie Minute (Vice-President)
  • Christy Lemire - The Associated Press
  • Moira Macdonald - The Seattle Times
  • Karen Martin - Arkansas Democrat Gazette
  • Maitland McDonagh - TV Guide.com (Vice-President)
  • Brandy McDonnell - The Oklahoman
  • Jennifer Merin - New York Press (President)
  • Nell Minow - BeliefNet.com
  • Katerine Monk - Can West News Service
  • Michelle Orange - The Village Voice/Reeler.com
  • Betsy Pickle - Knoxville News/Scripps Howard News Service
  • Mary Pols - Contra Costa Times
  • Claudia Puig - USA Today
  • B. Ruby Rich
  • Carrie Rickey - Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Eleanor Ringel - Atlanta Journal Consitution
  • Shelli Sonstein - Q 104.3
  • Amy Taubin - Film Comment/Sight and Sound
  • Anne Thompson - The Hollywood Reporter
  • Erin Trahen - The Independent/New EnglandFilm.com
  • Kim Voynar - Cinematical.com
  • Susan Wloszczyna - USA Today
  • Jeanne Wolf - Parade Magazine

Board of Directors:

  • Jennifer Merin, President and Treasurer
  • Maitland McDonagh, Vice President
  • Joanna Langfield, Vice President
  • Marcy Dermansky, Secretary

Board of Advisors:

  • Richard Pena - Columbia University, Lincoln Center Film Society, NY Film Festival
  • Mary Schmidt Campbell - Dean, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
  • Sally Berger - Curator, Film Department, Museum of Modern Art
  • Dr. Martha M. Lauzen - Director, Center for the Study of Women in Film and Television at San Diego State University
  • Carol Jenkins - Director, Women’s Media Center
  • Barbara Morgan - Austin Film Festival
  • Karen Cooper - FilmForum
  • Kathleen Carroll - film critic, retired
  • Rhea Gordon, Esq. - Debevoise and Plimpton, LLP
  • Jonathan Gray, Esq. - Gray Krauss, LLP