Variety: "Regina Hall to Be Honored With Voice of Inspiration Award"
By Wilson Chapman
Photo Credit: Derek Blanks
The 2022 Sundance Film Festival featured a Regina Hall double bill: “Master,” a thriller following three Black women at a predominantly white college; and “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul,” a mockumentary exploring the inner workings of a Southern Baptist megachurch. Hall was pumped to take Park City by storm this year — at least, before the COVID surge derailed the festival.
“I was so looking forward to it being in person,” Hall says. “When they said virtual I was like, ‘Damn you Omicron!’”
Hall is receiving the second annual Voice of Inspiration Award from Variety on May 25 at the annual Reel Works ChangeMakers Gala. Also being honored is Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King with the Reel Works ChangeMaker Award.
Established in 2001, Reel Works provides more than 1,600 New York City youth with free filmmaking and mentoring programs each year. The org includes an intensive after-school program for high schoolers who work one-on-one with professionals to create film projects; plans for 13 middle and high schools; and a workforce readiness program that prepares youngsters for media careers through internships and job training. According to organizers, 100% of students who participate in Reel Works’ programs graduate, 83% attend college and more than half go on to a media career.
Notes Variety’s senior VP, global content/executive editor Steven Gaydos, “Hall has pushed beyond early acclaim as a character actress of great comedic gifts, to one of America’s most vital actresses and advocates for opportunities, inclusion and change.”