Variety honors Patty Jenkins, 10 directors to watch

Daniel Kaluuya, Patty Jenkins and Aaron Sorkin were all honored in their respective careers at Variety’s Creative Impact Awards.

Kaluuya, who stars in Jordan Peele’s horror/social-satire “Get Out,” was honored with the Creative Impact in Acting award. He said his newfound fame is surreal but also rewarding.

“It’s really nice and it’s an achievement from where I come from to be in this space. And people around you, like Variety in Palm Springs, are saying, ‘Listen, you’re all right at your job,’ it’s really nice,” Kaluuya said.

Sorkin was honored for his achievements in screenwriting. But he was also making his directorial debut with his latest film Molly’s Game, and admitted he was nervous.

“Still nervous, I was terrified and I still am. And you know what, I’m nervous every time I do a movie, writing or directing it, so I was maxed out to begin with,” Sorkin said.

“Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins reflected on the new year and what she hopes for women in her industry in 2018.

“I think this has been a shockingly interesting year in the conversations that have happened. I hope that we can move forward into a better world always. And as difficult as it’s all been, I want to be excited about the future,” Jenkins said.

Variety took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on 10 up-and-coming directors from around the world.

“I feel lucky to be part of a group who I’ve watched…it’s great to be included,” said Augustine Frizzell the director of “Never Goin’ Back.”

“This is our first time in Palm Springs. So we went right from the airplane from Belgium right here. So we’re just absorbing now Palm Springs,” said Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the directors of “Gangsta.”