Donnie Yen Co-Chaired the Evening Attended by 400 Prominent Guests, Featuring a Special Live Performance by British Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor on Saturday, 16th March 2013
HONG KONG, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FilmAid Asia and Moet & Chandon hosted their second annual Power of Film Gala on Saturday, March 16, with actress Uma Thurman honoring humanitarian filmmaker Lixin Fan. Co-chaired by FilmAid Asia Board Directors Claire Melwani, Levina Li-Cadman, Moet Hennessy Diageo HK Managing Director Shaine De Venny and honorary co-chair FilmAid's Global Artists Council member, actor director Donnie Yen, the evening brought together 400 international guests from the worlds of film and finance, fashion, art and music among others.
For its second year, Moet & Chandon again showed their invaluable support of FilmAid Asia as the presenting partner of the fundraising gala. The evening raised over HK$3.5million, with proceeds to support FilmAid Asia's programmes in the region. This will include skills training in story telling and film production, partnerships with NGOs and local community based organisations, group screenings of educational and inspirational films that address issues pertinent to the Asia region -- such as land mine awareness.
Levina Li-Cadman, co-chair of the Power of Film Gala, said: "It was an honour to have Uma Thurman and Donnie Yen pay tribute to Lixin Fan - and to be supported by Josie Ho, Godfrey Gao and Archie Kao on the night." She continued, "This gala would not have been possible without Moet & Chandon's on-going support. They are a company with a longstanding commitment to FilmAid and film, for which we are all grateful."
"China is the hub of the Asian film industry," says Shaine De Venny Managing Director Moet Hennessy Diageo HK. "It's also now one of the most important centers in the world for fine wines. What an opportune time to bring these two globally important creative communities together in Hong Kong, acknowledging film's increasingly significant role in humanitarian efforts. We are most indebted to Donnie Yen and FilmAid Asia for their outstanding leadership in this effort, and to Uma Thurman for joining us in honoring Lixin Fan."
Donnie Yen added: "I was delighted to welcome Uma Thurman to my home city as we honoured Lixin Fan. I am thrilled with the success of the evening and FilmAid Asia's goal of using film to inspire and change the lives of those people displaced by war, trafficking and natural disasters was something the film communities once again supported."
The Power of Film Gala, hosted by Gala Co-Chairs FilmAid Asia Board Directors Claire Melwani, Levina Li-Cadman, Moet Hennessy Diageo HK Managing Director Shaine De Venny and honorary co-chair actor Donnie Yen began under the stars at Clear Water Bay Film Studio with the red carpet arrivals of film luminaries and fashion icons. Guests then moved to a cocktail reception in Studio 1 accompanied by a jazz performance by the Wysocki Trio.
After cocktails, guests proceeded to Studio 2, where they were seated for a special dinner prepared by the Intercontinental Hotel. Champagne for the evening was generously provided by Moet & Chandon. These included the Grand Vintage Rose 2002, noted for its light fruitiness with an underlying touch of cinnamon and liquorice and hint of smokiness; the Rose Imperial Magnum, an intense bouquet of strawberries, raspberries and cherries; and the Grand Vintage Rose Collection 1990, a brilliant and refined champagne with notes of nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, followed by a subtle tinge of apricot, plum and fig. The last of these champagnes served is the House's 29th vintage rose since 1920, a genuine treat for the honoured guests and the only way to toast to the power of film and philanthropy.
Craig Leeson welcomed the crowd, and introduced Iliane Ogilvie Thompson, Director FilmAid and Anthony Steains, Chair of FilmAid Asia. Further into the evening Moet & Chandon's Regional Managing Director Mark Bedingham introduced Uma Thurman and Donnie Yen. Donnie Yen presented the tribute to Lixin Fan accompanied by a short reel of his work, with Uma Thurman presenting the award.
Auction items included a trip to Roland Garrros courtesy of Moet & Chandon, a chance to heliski in Switzerland with a personal ski film directed by extreme filmmaker Thierry Donard and an original artwork from photographer Andrew Macpherson. Actress Josie Ho helped auction off a day on the set of her latest movie, and Uma Thurman took to the stage to auction signed bottles of champagne complete with kisses for the lucky bidder. Godfrey Gao threw in a surprise lot, a private screening with him at The Upper House while tickets to a Tribeca Film festival premiere completed the New York package.
Following this was a special performance by Sophie Ellis-Bextor featuring the songs Murder on the Dance Floor, Can't Fight This Feeling, Groovejet and Heartbreak. The evening culminated with dancing to British DJ Joe Lye.
Guests in attendance included Hezek Tang, Thomas Wu, Mira Yeh, Aron Harilela, Goodwin Gaw, Jennifer Woo, Nansun Shi, Alan Lo, Yenn Wong, Bobo Wan, Fiona Kotur Marin, Perveeen Crawford, Charmaine Li-Jepson, Marisa Zeman, Samer Ahmed, Divia Harilela, Jaime Ku, Ben Ku, Denise Ho, Calvin Zhang, Mahnaz Lee, Rina Wadhwani, Olivia Buckingham, Tina Leung, Amanda Strang and Jeremy Ng.
The entertainment world was represented by Godfrey Gao, Archie Kao, Andrew Ooi, Peter Loehr, Conroy Chan, Terence Yin, Jessica Jann, Keiko Takahashi, Vernie Yeung, Carl Ng, Winnie Tsang, Michelle Ho, Yukie Kito, QiQi, and Fernando Sulichin.
Carrying Kotur to the event were Uma Thurman, Josie Ho, Cissy Yen, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Claire Melwani, Levina Li-Cadman, Magdelena Corso, Petrina Steains and Fiona Kotur.
About FilmAid
Founded in 1999 during the Balkan crisis by award-winning producer Caroline Baron (Capote, Monsoon Wedding), FilmAid uses the power of film and media to transcend language and literacy, bringing life-saving information, psychological relief and much-needed hope to refugees and other communities in need around the globe. With strong support from both Hollywood and the humanitarian communities, FilmAid has brought critical information, training and empowerment programs to more than two million people worldwide. FilmAid Asia continues FilmAid's work in the Asia region. FilmAid works in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other global aid organizations.
Based in Hong Kong, FilmAid Asia Limited is a registered charitable institution exempt from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Service and associated with FilmAid International, a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in the United States.
About Moet & Chandon
Moet & Chandon, the champagne of success and glamour since 1743. Renowned for achievements, firsts and a legendary pioneering spirit, the Maison celebrates life's most triumphant moments with elegance, extraversion and sensorial pleasure. For more than two centuries, the Maison celebrates accomplishments and charismatic appeals with grandeur and generosity. From Napoleon's conquests to royal weddings to ship christenings, from well-known winner's circle rituals on the world's most prestigious playing fields, racecourses and tennis tournaments, from the Oscars and Golden Globes of Hollywood to the red carpets of international film festivals, from new ventures to innovative launches, Moet & Chandon is the champagne of choice.
About Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is one of the most popular film stars in Asia, known for his memorable roles in box-office hits such Hero and Bodyguards and Assassins. His work also includes the IpMan Series which is the highest grossing kung fu film of all time. Fluent in three languages, Yen is also credited with revolutionising Hong Kong's martial arts action sequences with his modern style of combat choreography and has won multiple best actor and best action director awards for his work.
For more information about the 2013 Power of Film Gala, contact
Linda Petrie / Anita Lam / Cyndi Cheng - Petrie PR
Tel: (852) 2521 9608
Email: linda@petriepr.com / anita@petriepr.com / cyndi@petriepr.com
