Eva Longoria captivated onlookers with a stunning floor-length red gown that elegantly highlighted her slender figure, evoking the glamour of old Hollywood.
During a speech at the festival on Tuesday, Eva expressed her deep gratitude for the role that “Desperate Housewives” played in propelling her career to new heights.
“‘Desperate Housewives’ changed everything in my life,” she remarked. “It truly expanded my global reach, and I am incredibly honored to be here at the Taormina Film Festival, receiving this humanitarian award.”
She added, “Without ‘Desperate Housewives,’ I wouldn’t have the worldwide presence that I enjoy today.”
Red hot: Eva looked stunning in her glamorous floor length gown
Side by side: Both Griffith and Longoria are being honored at the festival; they arrived the day before
The Taormina Film Festival celebrates the contributions of women in film, with Eva Longoria, Melanie Griffith, and Pamela Anderson among those recognized with awards.
Eva, known for her striking brunette locks, also addressed questions about her experiences working alongside a predominantly female cast during her time on “Desperate Housewives.”
She explained: ‘I think its interesting that this festival is about celebrating women’s impact, on a show with four women, but people are fast to criticise if there is drama behind the scenes.
Well deserved: Eva collected the humanitarian award for the work she does with her charity The Eva Longoria Foundation
Award winning: Eva looked happy to receive an award from her humanitarian work
Sweetheart: The stars form fitting neckline flattered her petite frame perfectly
She knows what she’s doing: The 56-year-old star made no effort to conceal the altered ink as she talked with friend Eva Longoria on a balcony
Smiling through the pain: The Working Girl actress showed Longoria her cell phone at the festival
She added: ‘But they never do that with men, and they never do that with male shows so I find that very sexist.’
Eva spoke on the fourth day of the 60th edition of the Film Festival, where she collected her Humanitarian Award, and also spoke about her Eva Longoria Foundation.
Smoking hot: Eva posed alongside Salvatore Iuzzolini from Maserati
The Eva Longoria Foundation helps Latinos reach their potential through education and entrepreneurship.
The Foundation supports programs which help Latinas excel in school and attend college as well as career training, mentorship, funding and opportunities.
A profile in courage: The daughter of Tippi Hedren has not yet broken down in public over the end of her 18 year marriage to the Spanish star
Photo time: The friends took pictures of each other as Griffith’s rep sat with hairdresser Jen Paves
All eyes on Eva: While the Nobody’s Fool actress took a snap of Longoria, Longoria took a photo of herself with the audience
Getting carried away: The Shining Through actress smiled as her pal goofed around with her camera
Let’s selfie ourselves: The brunette held out her iPhone as the blonde smiled in a BFF worthy shot
She got hers: Melanie looked on as Eva held her award which she got for her humanitarian efforts
