Kitchen Gala Honors Filmmakers Cheryl Dunye, Garrett Bradley, Shari Frilot, Catherine Gund
The Kitchen's 2026 annual spring gala celebrated four female filmmakers—Cheryl Dunye, Garrett Bradley, Shari Frilot, and Catherine Gund—who have not received full recognition. Co-chaired by Ava DuVernay, Julie Mehretu, Ja'Tovia Gary, Rebecca Cleman, Rajendra Roy, and Komal Shah, the event took place at City Winery near the High Line. Attendees included Legacy Russell, Jodie Foster, Mickalene Thomas, Simone Leigh, Ziwe, and Kyle Abraham. Former artist-in-residence Rena Anakwe emceed, with remarks by Tanya Selvaratnam, Jacqueline Woodson, and others. Musician Keiyaa performed.
Key facts
- The Kitchen held its 2026 spring gala honoring filmmakers Cheryl Dunye, Garrett Bradley, Shari Frilot, and Catherine Gund.
- The gala was co-chaired by Ava DuVernay, Julie Mehretu, Ja'Tovia Gary, Rebecca Cleman, Rajendra Roy, and Komal Shah.
- The event took place at City Winery, located at the tip of the High Line in New York City.
- Attendees included Legacy Russell, Jodie Foster, Mickalene Thomas, Simone Leigh, Ziwe, and Kyle Abraham.
- Rena Anakwe emceed the evening; writers Tanya Selvaratnam, Jacqueline Woodson, Sarah Jones, Robyn Farrell, Yolonda Ross, Rafael Hines, and Zoe Lukov gave remarks.
- Musician Keiyaa performed at the gala.
- The gala recognized female filmmakers paving the way for new directors.
- Photography by Deonté Lee/BFA.
Entities
Artists
- Cheryl Dunye
- Garrett Bradley
- Shari Frilot
- Catherine Gund
- Ava DuVernay
- Julie Mehretu
- Ja'Tovia Gary
- Rebecca Cleman
- Rajendra Roy
- Komal Shah
- Legacy Russell
- Keiyaa
- E. Jane
- Jodie Foster
- Mickalene Thomas
- Simone Leigh
- Ziwe
- Daniel Chew
- Ten Izu
- Tin Nguyen
- Julia Trotta
- Gabrielle Richardson
- Kyle Abraham
- Robert Soros
- Valeria Napoleone
- Jasmine Wahi
- Rena Anakwe
- Tanya Selvaratnam
- Jacqueline Woodson
- Sarah Jones
- Robyn Farrell
- Yolonda Ross
- Rafael Hines
- Zoe Lukov
- Rujeko Hockley
- Chukwumaa
- Terrell Villiers
- Philip Morgan
- Angelique Rosales Salgado
- Deonté Lee
Institutions
- The Kitchen
- Sundance
- City Winery
- High Line
- Artists & Mothers
- CFGNY
- BFA
Locations
- New York City
- United States