The Muse Awards honor "the vision and achievement of women in film and television," according to an announcement. The 2007 reception and lunch took place at the New York Hilton's Grand Ballroom and marked the 27th anniversary of the prize.

2007 Muse Awards honorees included stage and film director Julie Taymor ("Across the Universe") and actress Jennifer Jason Leigh ("Margot at the Wedding").

Taymor made history in 1998 as the first female director to earn the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for the Broadway musical The Lion King — albeit mere moments after Garry Hynes became the first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction (for The Beauty Queen of Leenane). She also earned the Tony for Best Costume Design that night as well. The multi-genre director has lined her resume with Broadway credits (Juan Darien and The Green Bird), film work ("Titus" and "Frida") as well as opera productions ("Oedipus Rex" and the Metropolitan Opera run of "The Magic Flute").

Actress Leigh last played on stage in the Off-Broadway run of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party. The actress has also appeared on Broadway in Cabaret and Proof. She is best known for her film work in such movies as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "Rush," "Single White Female," "Dolores Claiborne," "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle" and "The Anniversary Party" — which she co-wrote and co-directed with co-star Alan Cumming.

Other Dec. 13 winners included music editor Suzana Peric ("The Pianist," "Philadelphia") and Bravo Media president Lauren Zalaznick. Writer-director-producer Gale Anne Hurd ("The Incredible Hulk," "Terminator") was the Loreen Arbus Award recipient ("for those who take action and effect change"). New York Women in Film and Television can be found on the web at nywift.org.