Professor J.E. Smyth named as a 2021 Academy Film Scholar

Congratulations to Professor J.E. Smyth from our History Department who has been named as a 2021 Academy Film Scholar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The annual grant is given to established scholars whose projects are focused on some aspect of filmmaking and the film industry. The Academy’s Educational Grants Committee will award JE Smyth $25,000 on the basis of her proposal.

Smyth joins 16 Academy Film Scholars who are currently working on projects and 21 other scholars whose works have already been published.

JE is the author of several books about the entertainment industry, including Nobody’s Girl Friday: The Women Who Ran Hollywood, and is a contributing writer at Cineaste. Her book project, Maisie: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Most Powerful Woman, is the first-ever biography of Mary C. McCall Jr., the first woman to be elected president of the Screen Writers Guild (back in 1942).

In relation to McCall, JE said:

“Today, many people think Golden Age Hollywood was dominated by men. They’ve forgotten Mary C. McCall Jr., the three-time president of the Screen Writers Guild who had the guts to sue Howard Hughes at the height of the blacklist.

“It’s time to remember her, and I’m thrilled and honoured that the Academy is supporting her biography.”

JE holds a Ph.D. in Film Studies and American Studies, an M.Phil. in American Studies and an M.A. in History of Art from Yale University, as well as a B.A. in History of Art from Wellesley College. Commenting on JE’s achievement, Marcus Hu and Sara Rose, Academy Grants Committee co-chairs said:

“For the third year in a row, we are delighted to support the brilliant research of women scholars. Smyth’s insightful examinations of her topic will be a meaningful contributions to the study of film history, filmmaking and the industry as a whole. We look forward to seeing the outcome of her hard work.”

Find out more about The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Professor JE Smyth