Chivas Regal donate $100,000 to FilmAid at Cannes 2014

Global film elite including Naomi Watts, Harvey Weinstein, Gael Garcia Bernal gathered on Friday May 16 at the world famous Charles Finch Filmmakers Dinner in Cannes where FilmAid received a generous donation from our long-time supporter Chivas Regal. The highly anticipated annual dinner, filled with international superstars and with the stunning Riviera as a backdrop, was held during the Cannes Film Festival 2014 and confirmed the film industry’s dedication to using media to support marginalized and vulnerable communities. 

World-class actor and social activist Edward Norton (Fight Club, The Illusionist, Primal Fear) invited guests to toast the charitable efforts of the film industry and praised the work of FilmAid highlighting our work to help, “people who are voiceless, need to have their stories told or need what is going on around them documented. There’s an empowerment in giving people the tools to tell their own story.” Cannes Film Festival is known for showing its political conscience, and the Charles Finch dinner was no exception.

The evening brought together film stars, directors and producers to celebrate the opening of the film festival. Christopher Hampton and Alfonso Cuáron were presented with the Filmmaker Award for their massive and lasting contributions to the film industry.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Edward Norton leading the final toast and presenting a check of $100,000 to FilmAid’s Executive Director, Simon Goff on behalf of Chivas. Norton commented, “It is a great pleasure to be here tonight at the Charles Finch Filmmakers Dinner, sponsored by Chivas Regal 25. To be able to present FilmAid with such a generous donation on behalf of Chivas Regal is a great honor… Increasingly, we are seeing brands addressing social and environmental issues more than ever before. Charitable causes such as FilmAid need support in order to drive awareness and change consumer attitudes and behavior. With the help of partners like Chivas Regal around the world, FilmAid will be able to reach their next milestone”.

We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thanks to our long-time supporter, Chivas Regal, for their on-going generosity, as well as to Charles Finch and Edward Norton for paying tribute to FilmAid.

FilmAid Asia’s Power of Film Gala 2014

On March 22, 2014, Clearwater Bay Studios, Hong Kong, was over run by influential individuals from the film and humanitarian sector. More than 400 people arrived from around the globe to celebrate FilmAid Asia’s Power of Film Gala and ultimately raise over HK$3.5 million. The evening was filled with generous individuals, committed to FilmAid’s mission of projecting hope and changing lives through the medium of film. 

This was the Gala’s third year and the third time for Moet & Chandon to demonstrate their unwavering support of FilmAid Asia by acting as the presenting partner for the event. The night was filled with stars, and members of the FilmAid Board, unanimously dedicated to FilmAid’s values; Tilda Swinton and Donnie Yen paid tribute to the humanitarian filmmaker Ruby Yang, whilst other guests included Jamie Campbell Bower, Fan Bingbing, Godfrey Gao, and Cheng Pei-pei.

Ruby Yang was honoured by FilmAid Asia for her contribution to using media to promote awareness of crucial social issues, for example, through founding Chang Ai Media Project to raise awareness of HIV in China. On top of that, Yang’s world renowned documentaries touch on diverse themes, ranging from the posionous consequences of chemical plants, to the lives of gay men in China who are obliged to marry women in order to please their parents.

The evening was spent enjoying a performance by Grandmaster Flash . After cocktails, guests were seated for a special dinner prepared by the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Following this, the charity auction begun, which included items such as tickets to Burberry's London Fashion show, and an original artwork by graffiti artist Mr Brainwash. In addition, and as a complete surprise to everyone, Tilda Swinton ingeniously auctioned off the reading of a bedtime story to the highest bidder in the room. Jamie Campbell Bower attended the Gala as FilmAid's Global Artist Council member and assisted Levina Li-Cadman and Claire Breen Melwani raise funds during the Educate Through Film section. Jamie also auctioned his guitar to raise extra funds.  All this money raised is invaluable and supports the ongoing programs in Asia, which include skills training for NGOs, film production, community outreach to refugees and mobile cinemas which raise awareness of social and health issues.

FilmAid thanks its generous sponsors for the event, and the unceasing generosity of the guests, who made the third inaugural Power of Film Gala Asia, the best yet.

Bid in Special CharityBuzz Auction to Benefit FilmAid!

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FilmAid will be the beneficiary of a special CharityBuzz auction with lots including tickets to the 2014 AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Gala in Hollywood, passes to AFI FEST 2014 (including VIP after party), and a stunning piece of art by Kenyan artist and conservationist, Anthony Russell.

Proceeds from the auction will go to FilmAid, helping us to fulfill our mission by supporting our core programs. Be sure to place your bids before the auction ends on January 21. 

Here are the lots available for bidding now:

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Sudan, 2010 by Kenyan artist/conservationist Anthony Russell

A stunning piece, featuring pictorial details of Sudan's Dinka women, shot and collected over 20 years. Hot resin pour in two layer. Meru oak frame, stained, wire wool scrub, and clear polished. Framed and signed by the artist. Click here for more details and to bid on this piece.

Two (2) tickets to the 2014 AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Gala in Hollywood, Honoring Jane Fonda

Two (2) member tickets to the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award gala, honoring Jane Fonda on June 5th, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. 

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Join the Oscar-winning actress/activist for an exciting, black-tie evening known for its star-power and revealing speeches. Includes a pre-event cocktail reception, a buffet dinner and The Tribute ceremony. 

Attendees at prior AFI Life Achievement Awards have included President Bill Clinton, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr., Natalie Portman, Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey. The event will be broadcast on TNT and TCM. 

Two (2) Cinepass Express Passes to AFI FEST 2014 and two (2) tickets to a Centerpiece Gala with VIP after party access

Two (2) Cinepass Express passes to the American Film Institute's annual Los Angeles-based film festival, AFI FEST 2014. Includes a pair of tickets to the winner's choice of a Centerpiece Gala with a VIP after party. (Centerpiece Galas for the 2013 festival included films such as "Lone Survivor" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.") Cinepass Express gives access to ALL festival screenings (except Galas) with no waiting, plus access to the festival's Cinema Lounge for panels and happy hours.

For more details and to start bidding, visit the CharityBuzz site now - good luck!