Variety has announced that Mary will be receiving an Artist of Distinction Award at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival taking place on November 11 along with her former The Beauty Inside co-star Topher Grace and Fear the Walking Dead‘s Colman Domingo.
Over the past 20 years, Winstead has been portraying complex women in projects on TV (“Fargo”) and film, both studio (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”) and indie (“Smashed”). This year, she took on one of her most challenging roles as a troubled standup comedian in “All About Nina,” the feature film debut from writer-director Eva Vives. “When I read it, it was absolutely the most intimidating role I’d ever read. It was an easy yes for me obviously, because the role was so incredible,” Winstead says. Only later did the fear sink in. “The closer we got to shooting it, the more scared I started to become.”
Up next, Winstead will be seen in Ang Lee’s “Gemini Man” and “The Parts You Lose.” And she’s just landed the coveted role of Helena Bertinelli / Huntress in “Birds of Prey,” the Harley Quinn spinoff with Margot Robbie. But she’ll never abandon the indie world. “I love it,” she says of the fast pace, noting “All About Nina” was shot in 21 days. “It’s difficult for sure but in terms of the energy, the frenetic, intense energy, it’s easier to get that on a short shoot.”
Congrats to Mary on this fantastic recognition in her career! I’m very happy for her! She deserves this. 🙂