ELAINE HENDRIX, NADINE VELAZQUEZ & DEVIKA BHISE Award Recipients for 15TH Annual LA Femme International Film Festival Awards Gala www.LAFEMME.org

LOS ANGELES - Oct. 10, 2019 - PRLog -- This year we are proud to celebrate the accomplishment of ELAINE HENDRIX a hyphenate Actress, Writer, Director, and Activist who will receive the Humanitarian Award for her outstanding accomplishments not only an actor but as an animal rights activist. She has dedicated herself to working with organizations worldwide promoting social justice, animal rights, and environmental issues. In 2012, she was a nominee for the Humanitarian Activism Award from the Alliance of Women Journalists.

Notable Films include: "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997), "The Parent Trap" (1998), "Superstar" (1999), "Inspector Gadget" (2003), and "Good Intentions" (2010). In television, she most recently starred alongside Denis Leary in the FX series "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll". Also among her many awards is the In Defense of Animals Guardian Award that she won in 2009 at the Animal Rights Conference.

NADINE VELAZQUEZ will receive the Lupe Ontiveros Image Award as a woman of color who is breaking stereotypes in her characterization of roles on screen. Her list of nominations and awards is truly inspirational for women of all backgrounds. In 2007 she was a nominee at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival for Outstanding Actress for her performance in "My Name Is Earl" (2007). For four years in a row from 2007-2009 at the ALMA Awards, she was a nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Female Performance. In 2012, she was a nominee for the Special Merit Award for Best Scene, alongside Denzel Washington, for "Flight" (2012). In 2013, she was the winner of the EDA Special Mention Award from the Alliance of Women Journalists. Now in 2019, she is awarded this special award from LA Femme that celebrates her persistence in the industry to make a change.

DEVIKA BHISE is a multi-talented Actor, Producer, and Writer who will receive the Rising Star Award. Since 2006, she has worked on more than a dozen films. She is most well known for her roles in "The Accidental Husband" (2008) and "The Man Who Knew Infinity" (2015). More recently, she is a writer and lead actress in, "The Warrior Queen of Jhansi," set to release November 2019. She also plays a fierce role in, "Impossible Monster" (2019). Devika is a powerful force to be reckoned with and we are extremely excited to see where her career will take her. Congratulations to Devika for all her success thus far, she is a shining beam of inspiration.

Sandra Valls is Master of Ceremony and has performed in 2 Showtime hit comedy specials, The Latin Divas of Comedy (nominated for an Alma Award) and Pride: lgbt Comedy Slam!, hosted by Bruce Vilanch (both available for viewing now on Hulu.com). In a time when gays and lesbians in the United States are still struggling and fighting for equality, Sandra Valls unapologetically takes the road less traveled, celebrates her sexuality, and steps up to the front lines entertaining and educating folks through laughter and plenty of PRIDE! So it comes as no surprise that she was voted one of Curve Magazine's Top 10 funniest lesbian comics and Top 10 faces to watch in 2010 by Diva Magazine.

This year's show launches into festival awards season with the LA Femme International Film Festival Awards Show Gala taking place on October 20th, 2019, at 7 pm (Red Carpet at 6 pm). Location: South Park Center Theatre, 1139 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (parking:150 W 12th St LA 90015 corner or Hill/12th )

LA Femme is a four-day festival that screens over 100 films, special screenings, seminars, and networking mixers. The screening and event schedule for the festival is available online at www.lafemme.org. Tickets on sale: Full Access VIP Passes are at $150 for Regular Price, tickets for individual films and special screenings are $10; and single seminars are $20. http://www.lafemme.org/tickets/

Sponsors: SAG-AFTRA EEO & Diversity, (WGA) Writers Guild America West Women's Committee, The Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment State of Florida, SONY Pictures Entertainment, SONY Pictures Classics, Dollhouse Makeup, Columbia College Hollywood, Creative Handbooks, and Food Perfected Catering.

A Special thanks to the companies who donated products for our goodie bags:

Verb (hair oil), More Labs (morning after supplement), Simply Gum (peppermint), Tabitha Eve (reusable makeup wipes), Fine Accoutrements (shaving soap/brushes), Way of Wil (body oil), Emily McDowell & Friends (postcards), Knock Knock (journals), Egyptian Magic (lotion), Rare Hawaiin (honey), Sun Potion (superfood), DUDE (wipes), Ultima Replenisher (electrolyte packages), Melinda's (hot sauce/banana chips), Curious Elixirs (non-alcoholic cocktails), Rethink (water), Vita-Myr (mouthwash), Truvani (superfood), Girl Meets Dirt (pear jam), Leaf & Twig (tea), Manitoba Harvest (hemp bars/CBD oil), ENTUBE (curry/harissa tubes), Headbands of Hope (headbands), Four Sigmatic (Coffee Lion's mane), Sliquid (natural, intimate lubricant), Dandelion Chocolate (small-batch chocolate), San Miguel Olive Farm (extra virgin olive oil), and Guayaki Yerba Mate.

About LA Femme:

LA Femme, a non-profit 501(c)3, is a world-renowned premiere festival that focuses on women filmmakers who create commercial programming for a worldwide audience. This festival offers a unique opportunity for women filmmakers who seek a more creative approach to filmmaking as well as domestic and international film distribution.

LA Femme is our opportunity to make a difference. For over a decade we have supported and launched women's careers in the entertainment community. "We have been supporting women before it was cool!" Let us build a brighter future for Women in Entertainment and a more powerful support group through LA Femme.

Media Inquiries: To register press credentials or to schedule an interview with Leslie LaPage contact Deborah Gilels (818) 648-9513 or email ddgilels@prodigy.net.

Visit our website at www.lafemme.org