In January, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 98th Oscars, the foremost recognition of cinematic excellence. Among the nominations were several films connected to Barnard alumnae: the short films “Children No More: ‘Were and Are Gone'" and "The Devil is Busy," and the feature films "Cutting Through Rocks" and "The Perfect Neighbor."
“We are tremendously proud of Sheila Nevins ’60, Julie Parker Benello ’92, and Rose Arce ’86 for this well-deserved recognition,” said Barnard President Laura Ann Rosenbury. “Their work is a powerful reminder of Barnard’s ongoing impact in film and storytelling, and the many ways our graduates continue to shape the film industry."
Sheila Nevins ’60 and Julie Parker Benello ’92 both served as Executive Producers on “Cutting Through Rocks," which is nominated for "Best Documentary Feature Film." Judith Helfand, another Executive Producer on the film, also has ties to Barnard as producer of the Athena Film Festival Documentary Pitch Program.
“Cutting Through Rocks" centers around the life of Sara Shahverdi, the first female councilor in a remote Iranian village. Shahverdi embodies a path of resilience and courage, breaking patriarchal traditions — she teaches teenage girls to ride motorcycles — and fighting against child marriage.
Nevins served as a producer on both "Cutting Through Rocks" and "Children No More," an observational short film set in Tel Aviv that follows the regular meeting of activists who demonstrate their opposition to the war in Gaza with silent vigils.
Rose Arce ’86 helped bring another set of nominated films to life: Arce was an Executive Producer of "The Perfect Neighbor" and Executive Producer and Producer of "The Devil Is Busy." "The Perfect Neighbor," nominated for "Best Documentary Feature Film," was released on Netflix to instant critical acclaim. The film shows the arc of an escalating neighborhood dispute through investigative interviews and police body cam footage, representing a creative intervention to the genre.
In the "Best Documentary Short Film" category, "The Devil Is Busy" brings audiences through the increasing challenges faced by a women's healthcare clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the course of a single day, viewers watch as the clinic's security guard, a woman of faith, navigates the shifting landscape of reproductive rights in the U.S., with a growing number of legal restrictions and the pressure of religious protests.
Barnard College is the proud home of the Athena Film Festival, which showcases narrative features, documentaries, and short films, as well as in-depth conversations with filmmakers and thought leaders. Since 2011, the Festival has served as the premier forum for the elevation and celebration of women's leadership onscreen, a partnership of Barnard College and Women and Hollywood. The Host Committee is a dedicated network of supporters who advance the Festival's commitment to a more inclusive, representative film industry.
In February, "Cutting Through Rocks" was announced as the centerpiece film of the 16th annual Athena Film Festival, held March 6 through 8, 2026. The film will screen at the Festival on Saturday, March 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets and passes are available now.
“Each year, we seek to advance narratives about leadership through original, women-centered stories, and 'Cutting Through Rocks' does exactly that,” said Melissa Silverstein, the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Athena Film Festival. "We are grateful to these four incredible women, who have cared about and been deeply involved with the Athena Film Festival. This re-affirms the Festival’s role as the premier destination for films celebrating women’s leadership."
The 98th Oscars are scheduled to air Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. EST.