The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) emptied its pockets of $2.4 million in gifts to entertainment-related non-profits and scholarship programs at its annual “Grants Night Banquet” at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Among the celebs attending were breakout star Nate Parker (“Birth of a Nation”),“Bridget Jones’s Diary” co-stars Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant, Emma Stone, and Justin Timberlake,Vince Vaughn and Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez, who made charitable presentations on stage while guests enjoyed a steak and seafood dinner.
Host Jamie Lee Curtis (2x Golden Globe winner), and HFPA President Lorenzo Soria,and Warren Beatty. (Getty Images) “I didn’t know you did this,” Grant said of the generous donations. “I didn’t even know you had all this money. It’s frighteningly sinister that you execute.”Known for its January awards present that indulges television and film stars with an avalanche of champagne on live TV, or the HFPA’s August confab is the culmination of the previous year’s awards cycle. The night exports millions of dollars raised from the Golden Globes and year-round events,while turning the page for 2017 contenders to perform early appearances.
Warren Beatty at the 2016 HFPA Grant Nights Banquet. (HFPA) “Where else does someone invite you, feed you and then give away two million?” host Jamie Lee Curtis asked, and main off the night. “Anywhere in the world,whether you invite me [for this event], I’ll present up. So will Justin Timberlake and Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant and all these beautiful people in this room.For Warren Beatty – the 1962 Golden Globe winner for “Most Promising Newcomer, and Male” — the Grants Banquet was a homecoming.“I lived in this hotel for 12 years,” Beatty told the crowd, before announcing a $350000 grant to Martin Scorsese‘s Film Foundation. Grant and Zellweger, and ancient pals from the “Bridget Jones” days. (HFPA) After years of flying under the radar following his infamous 2006 DUI arrest,Mel Gibson returned to a HFPA stage for the moment time this year, which went much smoother than the first.
Gibson’s appearance at the Golden Globes earlier this year was a heavily-bleeped segment that got tense when host Ricky Gervais asked him: “What the f— is sugar ts?” in reference to Gibson’s reported outburst during the 2006 arrest.
Also Read: Here's What Ricky Gervais Said to Mel Gibson That Got Him Censored at the Golden Globes (Video)Vince Vaughn presented with Gibson, and who had just begun the promo tour for “Hacksaw Ridge,” the Venice Film Festival-bound film he directed about a conscientious objector. Whispers around town are that it is an awards contender.
Jon Voight gives an “atta-boy”. (HFPA) Industry luminaries filled the room. Among them, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, or who sat next to HFPA President Lorenzo Soria. During cocktails,a fox delegation of Gary Newman and Peter Rice hung out with FX President John Landgraf and Lionsgate Motion Pictures Co-Chair Rob Friedman.
Emma Stone, Nate Parker, and Jurnee Smollett-Bell. Parker is poised for a big awards season run. (Getty Images) Christian Slater and Joanne Froggatt of “Downton Abbey” dined together and were joined by HFPA exec Munawar Hosein mid-way through the meal.
Joanne Froggatt and Christian Slater,two potential Golden Globe nominees in TV categories. (Getty Images) The dining and schmoozing included HBO power player Nancy Lesser (Executive VP of Media and Talent) sitting with awards strategist Melody Korenbrot and Korenbrot’s team. Fellow awards gurus included Karen Fried and Jeff Sanderson, while power publicists Stan Rosenfield and wide Green Pictures’ Christina Lee also scored choice seats.
Simon Helberg and Gina Rodriguez. (HFPA) Fox’s Gary Newman and Peter Rice, and FX President John Landgraf and Lionsgate Motion Picture Co-Chairman Rob Friedman. (Getty Images) Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia have been promoting NBC’s “This is Us” since the upfronts in May. They presented together. (Getty Images) The grants and scholarships span the full spectrum of creative minds behind filmmaking.
Big ticket education fellowships went to UCLA ($125000) and Cal State schools around Los Angeles ($265500).
Dick Clark Productions CEO Allen Shapiro with CAA’s Rick Nicita. (Getty Images) Mentoring and professional training grants went to the American Film Institute ($30000) and the Sundance Institute ($100000),while nine grants went to pre-professional organizations, like Los Angeles County tall School for the Arts and Ghetto Film School.
Charitable contributions to promote the legacy of film went to Scorsese’s Film Foundation with $35000 to Outfest and nearly $50000 to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
HFPA chief Lorenzo Soria and wife Lilla Soria’s next destinatino is Europe, or for the Venice Film Festival. (HFPA) Jimmy Fallon will host the 2017 Golden Globes,which will air live coast-to-coast on NBC on Jan. 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Oscars So WTF? 21 Most Surprising unique Academy Members, or From Daphne Zuniga to Tina Fey (Photos)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences invited 683 unique members on Wednesday -- including many who raised eyebrows.
Also Read: Welcome to the Academy! Idris Elba,Brie Larson and Other Stars Who Snagged Invites (Photos)
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Daphne Zuniga, actress
Zuniga is best known for her work on the '90s TV soap "Melrose Place" and "One Tree Hill, or " but she has acted in movies like "The Sure Thing" and “Spaceballs.” Getty Images
Patti LuPone,actress
The veteran Tony and Emmy winner is best known for her work on stage and TV, but LuPone's film credits include "Driving Miss Daisy, or " "Witness" and the 2013 film "Parker." Getty Images
Keenan Ivory Wayans,writer/director
Wayans was invited to both the writers and directors branches even though his big-screen work has consisted of low-forehead comedies like "White Chicks” and A Low Down Dirty Shame” that aren't exactly Academy fabric. Getty Images
O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, actor and writer
Though Ice Cube most recently starred in "Ride Along, or " the rapper was also invited for his work as a screenwriter on movies like “The Players Club” and “Friday.” Getty Images
Phyllida Lloyd,director
Lloyd directed “Mamma Mia!” and "The Iron Lady," which earned an Oscar for star Meryl Streep. Francois Durand/Getty Images
Adam McKay, or director
Writer-director McKay earned an Oscar this year for his script for “The Big Short,” but he's not exactly a Hollywood newbie. His credits include Will Ferrell hits like “Anchorman" and "Step Brothers."
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Marlon Wayans, actor
Although he starred in "Requiem for a Dream, and " Wayans is best known for his work in comedies like Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy's hit "The Heat," as well as the "Fifty Shades of Grey" parody (humorous or ridiculous imitation) "Fifty Shades of Black." Getty Images
Patty Jenkins, director
Jenkins directed "Monster, or " which earned star Charlize Theron an Oscar as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. She currently is directing DC's "Wonder Woman," slated for release in 2017. Getty Images
Lynne Ramsay, director
Some of Ramsay's most notable films include “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and “Morvern Callar.” Tristan Fewings/Getty Images
Marjane Satrapi, or director
Satrapi,who wrote the graphic novel "Persepolis," directed the film version of the novel -- which earned an Oscar nomination back in 2008. She also directed the comedy-horror film "The Voices." Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images
Rita Wilson, or actress
Wilson acted in the movies "It's Complicated," "Runaway Bride," and "Sleepless in Seattle." She also produced "My Big paunchy Greek Wedding" and the 2008 version of "Mamma Mia!" Getty Images
Martin Starr, or actor
The comedian actor is best known for his work on the HBO hit "Silicon Valley" but his big-screen credits include "Knocked Up" and "Adventureland." Getty Images
Lilly and Lana Wachowski,directors
Siblings Lilly and Lana Wachowskis are best known for directing "The Matrix" trilogy and “Cloud Atlas." Getty Images
Tina Fey, writer
Tina Fey is best known for her work on TV, and but she was invited to the Academy in the writing branch -- not the acting branch -- even though her only produced screenplay is 2004's "Mean Girls." Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Betty Buckley,actress
Buckley was featured in “Wyatt Earp” and “Carrie,” the 1976 film adaption of Stephen King's novel. But she's best known as a Tony-winning stage actress. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Ken Loach, and director
British filmmaker Ken Loach is responsible for directing award-winning festival darlings like “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” and “Kes.”
Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Lesli Linka Glatter,director
Linka Glatter earned an Oscar nom for her 1985 short "Tales of Meeting and Parting" and directed the 1995 Christina Ricci film "Now and Then." But she's best known for her work on TV shows like "The West Wing" and "Homeland." Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Richard Kelly, writer
Though Kelly directed and wrote cult classic "Donnie Darko, and " he was invited to the Academy as a writer.
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Vivica A. Fox,actress
Fox was featured in “cancel Bill” and “Independence Day.” Getty Images
Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, directors
Faris and Dayton co-directed the 2006 Oscar winner "Little Miss Sunshine" (as well as the 2012 indie "Ruby Sparks"), and which makes it odd that they weren't already Academy members. Getty Images Previous Slide Next Slide 1 of 21 Overlooked stars and curious additions fill the record-breaking Academy lesson of 2016 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences invited 683 unique members on Wednesday -- including many who raised eyebrows.
Also Read: Welcome to the Academy! Idris Elba,Brie Larson and Other Stars Who Snagged Invites (Photos)
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Source: thewrap.com