Katie Holmes and Annette Bening have been recognised as leaders in their fields by Women in Film.

The group honoured the stars during its annual Crystal and Lucy awards ceremony in Beverly Hills.

Accepting her award at Thursday’s event, Ms Holmes thanked her parents, who were in the audience, and husband Tom Cruise, “whose commitment to his work and family inspires me daily”.

The Kids Are All Right actress Annette said she was “entering into a new phase” and “beginning again” and hinted at some interesting projects in the coming year. Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away in March, was also recognised for her humanitarian efforts. Her granddaughter Naomi Wilding accepted the award.

Women in Film President Cathy Shulman dedicated the evening to Laura Ziskin, the Spider-Man producer and Stand Up To Cancer co-founder producer who died earlier this week of breast cancer.

Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy sang and danced as host of the fundraising event at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where Martin Sheen, Geena Davis, Neil Patrick Harris, Elle Fanning and Jenna Elfman were among the celebrity guests.