Salma Hayek was the woman of the night at the 2026 Women in Film Honors, receiving the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award from Jane Fonda herself at a star-packed ceremony at the Beverly Hilton on Thursday 5 November. The 60-year-old actress, who turned 60 in September, was honoured for a career spent advocating for women, children and immigrants — and, according to one report of the evening, she was moved to tears as she spoke about the situation facing the Latino community in the United States.
Hello Magazine reported on 7 November that Hayek received the award from Fonda in front of a room full of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces, including Kerry Washington, Sharon Stone and Hannah Waddingham. The outlet noted that Hayek, who was presented in a navy ensemble, has long been one of the industry’s most visible advocates for women’s rights. A Spanish-language report of the gala, carried on YouTube by El Gordo y la Flaca, said Hayek spoke emotionally about the Latino community during her acceptance speech.
Sharon Stone, 68, steals the red carpet
If Hayek owned the stage, Sharon Stone owned the arrivals. Hello Magazine reported that the 68-year-old actress stepped out in a striking black leather ensemble and appeared in high spirits as she posed for photographs. Stone also had a presenting role on the night: according to Sports Illustrated’s lifestyle pages, she presented Hannah Waddingham with the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV, while Waddingham dazzled in a plunging turquoise satin gown.
The full honours list, confirmed by Women in Film itself ahead of the event, underlines how broad the night was. Pamela Abdy received the inaugural Vanguard Award, Adria Arjona took the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award — with her boyfriend Jason Momoa by her side, according to reports — and Gemma Chan and Beth de Araújo shared the Crystal Award for Advocacy in Film for their collaboration on Josephine. Kerry Washington, Olivia Munn, Emmy Rossum and Brittany Snow were among the other famous faces in the room.
A night that keeps trending
Coverage of the night was still spreading three days later: Archynetys reported on 8 November that eight news sources had published 11 articles about the WIF Honors red carpet in a short window, with outlets including Page Six, Vogue and Deadline among them. The event is Women in Film’s largest fundraiser of the year, directly funding its advocacy, research and career programmes, according to the organisation.
For Hayek, the honour caps a landmark year. As Martin Cid Magazine noted in September, she turned 60 this year and is shooting her first feature film as writer and director. Thursday night, though, was about something simpler: a room full of women who have spent decades opening doors for each other, and one very emotional acceptance speech.
