Virginia Madsen

Official Website
06 Nov 2019

Virginia Madsen Among Honorees at Broken Glass Awards!

Monday, November 4 marks the 11th annual Palm Springs Broken Glass Awards. This event honors women in TV and film. The 2019 notable honorees are actress Sierra McCormick who received the Rising Star Award, local artistic director for the Palm Springs International Film Festival and ShortFest, Lilli Rodriguez received the Desert Diva Award, Philanthropist, Melissa Neiderman received the Humanitarian Award, actress Virginia Madsen received the Gena Award and talent manager Dolores Robinson received the Broken Glass Award.

Events2019_BrokenGlassAwards-4.jpg Events2019_BrokenGlassAwards-13.jpg Events2019_BrokenGlassAwards-12.jpg Events2019_BrokenGlassAwards-9.jpg

The awards honor extraordinary women who have broken through the glass ceiling, helping pave the way for others in entertainment, arts and philanthropy. The luncheon and fundraiser was emceed by News Channel 3 Anchor Karen Devine. The event was at Agua Caliente Casino Resort & spa in Rancho Mirage.

Actress, Virginia Madsen told us about her own journey to breaking through the glass ceiling for women in film. “Breaking the glass ceiling didn’t happen to me until I was 50,” Madsen said. “It’s important to help the younger people that are coming up and give them a hand and tell them yes you can,” she said.

05 Nov 2019

Beyond the Glass Ceiling!

Oscar-nominee Virginia Madsen, who is among the illustrious honorees of the 11th annual Broken Glass Awards, expounds upon her creative path and the galvanizing force of women.

“I think it’s always good when groups of women get together. It’s more important now, more than ever, to support one another and our endeavors and call attention to those who are working hard to make changes.”

It’s time to shatter some glass. But as the Palm Springs Women in Film & TV (PSWIFT) 11th annual Broken Glass Awards Luncheon unfolds on Nov. 4 at Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa, there will be more than honors doled out to the female trailblazers, like actress Virginia Madsen, who have paved the way for others in entertainment, arts, and philanthropy.

Expect a bevy of commentary on the creative strides that have already been made and what the road ahead may actually look like for women on the rise. This year’s honorees include Virginia Madsen (The Gena Award), Sierra McCormick (The Rising Star Award), Melissa Neiderman (The Humanitarian Award), Dolores Robinson (The Broken Glass Award), and Liliana Rodriguez (The Desert Diva Award).

Virginia Madsen, the recipient of this year’s Gena Award, has worked vigilantly in the industry since 1983, and is known for her headturning roles in Sideways for which she nabbed a 2004 Oscar nomination. TV’s Law & Order, Elementary, American Gothic, and Designated Survivor. The actress, who was in attendance for the Palm Springs International Film Festival during the fiery success of Sideways, shares more about the award, the creative glass that still needs breaking, and much more.

This award brings you back to Palm Springs.

I’m from Chicago and I never thought I would enjoy the desert. But I find that the desert feeds me much in the way the ocean feeds you. There’s something that is so ancient in those rocks and mountains. And it’s so close to where I live [in L.A.]. I would always find peace and serenity in Palm Springs. And that was a surprise to me. I don’t know what those rocks are made of out there, but there’s something in there that’s good for the soul. Continue Reading  

17 Mar 2018

Virginia Madsen to attend Sarasota Film Festival!

Sarasota Film Festival has announced two celebrity guests and its opening and closing films, with their famous directors attending as well. The film festival, which takes place April 13-22 and celebrates 20 years in 2018, made the announcement Friday before its full lineup reveal on Wednesday.

Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen will receive a career achievement award during the closing weekend and have her new film “1985,” about a man’s fears of coming out during the AIDS crisis, screen at the festival. Madsen received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in 2004′s “Sideways” and has appeared in numerous other high-profile movies, including David Lynch’s science-fiction epic “Dune,” horror cult favorite “Candyman” and Robert Altman’s final film “A Prairie Home Companion.”

The festival will open April 13 at Sarasota Opera House with “Class Rank,” a comedy about two high school students who team up to take over the local school board, directed by Eric Stoltz, who will attend. Stoltz is better known as an actor, including roles in “Pulp Fiction,” “Some Kind of Wonderful” and his Golden Globe-nominated performance in “Mask.”

The closing night film, to be shown April 21 at Sarasota Opera House, will be “Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow,” a documentary about NASA’s 60-year history by filmmaker Rory Kennedy.

ABOUT THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL

The 20th annual Sarasota Film Festival, which will take place from April 13th to April 22nd, greatly appreciates the support of its corporate sponsors, including the Amicus Foundation, The Famiglio Family, Regal Entertainment Group, Art Ovation Hotel, and Mutual of Omaha Bank.

Held annually in Sarasota, FL, The Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 200 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks. Entering our 20th year, we’re proud to bring the best new and established independent filmmakers to our Festival with local and kid-friendly programs that showcase our idyllic Gulf Coast community.