FIRST OFF . . .

The Arts & Entertainment Cable Network announced at a New York luncheon Wednesday that it will become a major sponsor of films to be made by first-time women directors enrolled in the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women. In addition to providing more than half of the $300,000 budget for the next AFI workshop, scheduled for December, the cable network plans to showcase the completed films. Begun in 1974, the workshop, situated at AFI’s Hollywood Hills campus, enrolls 12 to 17 women in production cycles that last about two years. Among the more than 70 women who have directed more than 100 projects as part of the workshop are Joanne Woodward, Dyan Cannon, Marsha Mason and Lee Grant.