Athena Film Festival

March 2021

A Conversation with Paul Feig and Kate McKinnon

Celebrating his extraordinary body of work, support and outspoken stance for women throughout his career, director, actor, producer and screenwriter Paul Feig is the first male to ever be honored by the festival. Feig has been supportive of women in the industry throughout his career, highlighting gender disparity in entertainment and casting female leads in his successful directorial efforts, including Spy, The Heat, and Bridesmaids. Feig recently completed directing the highly anticipated remake of Ghostbusters, starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. A three-time EMMY nominated writer/director and DGA Award winner, Feig is the creator of the television series Freaks and Geeks (Time’s 100 Greatest Shows of All Time) and the director and co-executive producer of The Office and has directed numerous television series.

Paul will be in conversation with Ghostbusters and SNL star Kate McKinnon. The conversation will be moderated by Time Magazine editor-at-large Belinda Luscombe.

Date: February 20, 5:00PM
Location: Diana Center Event Oval, LL100

Belinda Luscombe, an editor-at-large of TIME, writes about the science, economy and insanity of relationships—those conducted at home, work or in cyberspace. Since lots of movies, books and TV shows and gossip are about the same thing, she also writes about those. Luscombe has worked at TIME since 1995, after moving to New York City from Sydney.

The multiple Emmy nominee Kate McKinnon returns for the 41st season of “Saturday Night Live,” having joined the cast in April 2012. McKinnon received 2014 and 2015 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on “SNL.” In addition, she earned a 2014 American Comedy Award for TV Best Supporting Actress. McKinnon has entertained viewers with her critically acclaimed impression of Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as other notable impressions including Justin Bieber and Ellen DeGeneres. She is also known for her standout “Weekend Update” turns as artist Cecilia Giminez and Russian meteor witness Olga Povlatsky. McKinnon studied theater at Columbia University. McKinnon can be been seen in the upcoming films “Ghostbusters,” “Masterminds” and “Sisters.”  In addition, she has lent her voice to the upcoming animated feature films “Angry Birds,” “Finding Dory” and animated series including “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” McKinnon is set to co-host the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards with “Silicon Valley’s” Kumail Nanjiani. McKinnon is a native of Sea Cliff, N.Y., and is currently lives in New York City. Her birthday is Jan. 6.