VARIETY: Texas Abortion Docu ‘Zurawski v Texas’ Wins Inaugural Artemis Rising Foundation Award for Social Impact at HIFF (EXCLUSIVE)
By Addie Morfoot
Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault’s abortion documentary “Zurawski v Texas” garnered the inaugural Artemis Rising Foundation Award for Social Impact at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The new award honors one film that transforms our culture and challenges the status quo.
Executive produced by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton and Jennifer Lawrence, “Zurawski v Texas” follows a group of women who, in 2023, band together to sue the state of Texas after being denied abortions despite pregnancy health risks.
Crow and Perrault will receive a $15,000 cash award, which the directors can use in whatever capacity they choose. The 98-minute doc, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September, is seeking distribution.
“Our hope for this film has always been to reach as wide an audience as possible to educate, challenge, and inspire viewers through our film participants’ vulnerability and strength,” Crow and Perrault said in a joint statement. “This award will allow us to continue sparking conversation about women and families’ access to care.”
Led by founder and CEO Regina K. Scully, Artemis Rising Foundation champions stories about challenging social justice issues, including gender bias, healing, trauma, mental health, addiction and women’s empowerment. Scully has helped produce hundreds of documentaries over the past two decades including “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” “Allen v. Farrow,” “The Invisible War” and “To Kill A Tiger,” which was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year.
“We are proud to award “Zurawski v Texas” with this year’s Artemis Rising Award,” says Scully. “The impending election has sparked greater conversations and fierce compassion around women’s reproductive rights. This film sheds light on the dangerous realities of these issues. This film will affect individuals on an emotional level, and has the true capacity to enact change in this country.”
On Sept. 24 in Austin, Texas, dating app Bumble financed an impact screening series that included “Zurawski v Texas.” Bumble also put money towards the docu’s budget.
Variety critic Tomris Laffly wrote that “Zurawski v Texas” wisely argues that abortion access — currently supported by Democrats and denied by the Republican Party — shouldn’t be a left or right issue, but a bipartisan matter.”
The docu screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival on Oct. 5.