Meera Menon Wins Nora Ephron Prize At 2013 Tribeca Film Festival

Meera Menon was presented the Nora Ephron Prize during the Women’s Filmmaker Brunch at Company 3 in New York City by the Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday.

Jane Rosenthal, TFF co-founder, and Vogue creative digital director Sally Singer presented Menon with the coveted award. The first-time writer/director beat out seven other filmmakers with her debut film, Farah Goes Bang, to receive the honor and the $25,000 cash prize.

“We're thrilled to highlight Meera's work with this special award. We were impressed with her fresh, witty, and smart take on a coming of age story about girlfriends, passions and politics. Her film captures the spirit and themes of Nora's work. I'm proud to continue Nora's legacy through this award and continue to encourage women filmmakers to create the work that inspires them,” said Rosenthal.

"To me, this is a film that gives voice to deep emotions and cultural rifts with wry humor. Like the body of Nora’s work, Meera’s film is both immensely clever and compassionate”, added Singer.

Fara Goes Bang follows a multicultural group of girls traveling cross-country to stump for John Kerry during the 2004 presidential election. In addition to her political motives, the main character is also motivated by a desire to lose her virginity – a task that proves woefully difficult. Through wit and strong storytelling, Menon’s film resonates with audiences in a way comparable to the late Ephron, who cornered the market on smart romantic comedies.

In response to receiving the Nora Ephron Prize, Menon said, “As a filmmaker I had always been inspired by Nora, she emblematized how to take pain and suffering and turn them into laughter and joy. Those qualities inspired me and my co-filmmakers. Receiving this incredible honor in her name means more than I could ever articulate. Tribeca has been such a special experience and the lady love is resounding."

The 12th Tribeca Film Festival, founded by Rosenthal and Robert DeNiro in the wake of 9/11, runs through April 28.