‘North’ tops in women’s group

“North Country” was the most important film for women to see in 2005, according to a survey by New York Women in Film & Television.

The film, in which Charlize Theron plays a miner who wins a landmark sexual harassment case, grabbed the top spot with 19 percent of the vote.

It was followed in order by the race-focused drama “Crash,” the dance documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom,” the gay-cowboy romance “Brokeback Mountain” and the cross-dressing dramedy “Transamerica.”

As Hollywood gears up for the Oscars, the nonprofit women’s association also asked its 1,500 members to vote for the best female film director of 2005.

Marilyn Agrelo of “Mad Hot Ballroom” ranked first with 21 percent of the vote, followed by Nicki Caro for “North Country,” Miranda July for the offbeat drama “Me, You and Everyone We Know,” Susan Stroman for the musical “The Producers” and Agnes Jaoui for the French-language film “Look at Me.”