Audra McDonald and Joy Reid are among the recipients of the 2026 New York Women Film and Television Muse Awards. The awards ceremony, which aims to celebrate women in film, television, music and media, will be held on March 20 at Cipriani’s 42nd Street in New York City.
McDonald, a Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actress and singer, will be honored for her accomplishments throughout her diverse career. Reid, a longtime political commentator and television host, will receive the Enid Ross Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Award-winning producer Jane Rabe, actress Jamie Brewer and director Patricia Cardoso will also be honored, with the latter two receiving the Laureen Arbus Changemaker Award and Nancy Malone Director Award, respectively. Additionally, New York Liberty WNBA forward Izzy Harrison will receive the inaugural NYWIFT Muse Award for Achievement in Sports and Media.
“CBS Sunday Morning” contributor, comedian and actress Nancy Giles will moderate the event. As part of a broadcast partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, viewers will be able to watch the 2025 Awards on TV on March 7th on NYC Life, and the encore will be available online on March 16th. The 2026 ceremony will not be broadcast live on NYC Live and will be broadcast separately at a later date.
“Each year, the Muse Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate women whose work not only entertains and inspires, but also shapes culture and expands possibilities in our industry,” said Cynthia Lopez, CEO of New York Women in Film & Television. “The 2026 award winners represent extraordinary excellence in the fields of performance, production, sports and leadership, and we are honored to recognize their outstanding contributions to the film, television and creative communities.”
“We are thrilled to be joining the 42nd annual Cipriani again for the annual Muse Awards, which celebrate and elevate women who are driving meaningful and necessary change in arts and entertainment,” said NYWIFT Board Chair Kim Jackson. “As we enter our 46th year, NYWIFT is proud to continue our tradition and introduce a new sports division that reflects our continued commitment to visibility, opportunity and equity for women in all corners of the media world.”
Founded in 1977, NYWIFT aims to connect, educate and advocate for women, and to promote diversity and equity in media. The Muse Awards gala luncheon serves as NYWIFT’s flagship fundraising event and is attended by executives from major studios, broadcast and cable networks, and film production facilities.
