Co-Chaired By Donnie Yen, Honouring Keanu Reeves and Duncan Jepsonon Sunday March 18th, 2012
HONG KONG, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Moet & Chandon and FilmAid Asia are pleased to announce the inaugural Power of Film Gala honouring actor and filmmaker Keanu Reeves and director Duncan Jepson at the Grand Hyatt on Sunday, March 18, 2012. Co-chaired by FilmAid Global Artist Council member, Donnie Yen, Moet & Chandon and FilmAid Asia, the evening will bring together luminaries from both the film and finance world. Proceeds from the gala, which will include funds from a live auction with Christie's Francois Curiel at the hammer, will be used to support FilmAid Asia's programmes, while also funding FilmAid's broader mission. 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 and addressing issues pertinent to the Asia region -- such as trafficking of men, women and children.
"We are delighted at the opportunity to partner FilmAid," says Shaine de Venny, Managing Director of Moet Hennessy Diageo HK. "Moet & Chandon is furthering its century-long love affair with cinema but perhaps more importantly it is in keeping with the house's generousity by giving back to the community. Moet is the exclusive champagne of the Oscars® and has been the official champagne of the Golden Globes for almost two decades. The Power of Film Gala will honour two remarkable creative forces, Keanu Reeves and Duncan Jepson and raise awareness of FilmAid's broader work in Asia. Moet & Chandon is proud to be able to share and celebrate in this moment."
"The Power of Film Gala is essential to our ambitious goals for FilmAid in the Asia region," said Gala Co-chair Claire Breen Melwani. "I am honoured to sit on FilmAid Asia's Board and to co-chair this important fundraiser with Donnie Yen and Moet & Chandon's Shaine de Venny, whose support for our initiatives is so critical. We are all looking forward to an incredibly exciting evening as we acknowledge film's increasingly significant role in humanitarian efforts."
Donnie Yen said, "I am extremely proud to be the first Asian member of the FilmAid Global Artist Council and to co-chair the inaugural Power of Film Gala. I am also delighted that FilmAid Asia is honouring the contributions of Keanu Reeves to motion pictures and Duncan Jepson to humanitarian causes. FilmAid's goal of using film to inspire and change the lives of those people displaced by war, trafficking and natural disasters is a philosophy I hope the Asian film community will support."
FilmAid's Global Artist Council is made up of a select group of actors, writers and directors who support FilmAid's vision, goals and philosophy by using the power of film to provide information where it is needed and inspire hope where it is lacking. As high-profile artists, Council members are the most visible faces of FilmAid and are well placed to build widespread awareness of FilmAid's work and resource needs.
Keanu Reeves is one of the most versatile actors in contemporary American cinema. He has over 70 movies to his credit, including producing the recent documentary Side by Side which examines the history, process and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation and is currently filming his directorial debut Man of Tai Chi in China. Duncan Jepsonis a Hong Kong based documentary filmmaker whose features include the award winning Hope Without Future? and Follow Your Heart: China's New Youth Movement. He is currently working on a new documentary feature, A Devil's Gift, about the difficult future facing Hong Kong's youth.
The Gala Host Committee comprises notable Hong Kong and Mainland China based film patrons, entertainment industry leaders and philanthropic supporters including, Christine Fellowes, Sean Fitzpatrick, Kelly Gave, Jane Gottschalk, Malena Zhang, Benedict Ku, Levina Li-Cadman, Peter Loehr, John McLellan, Lorna Tee and Monica Blanch Wells.
The Power of Film Gala 2012 is expected to draw illustrious local and international guests from the worlds of art, entertainment, fashion, and finance, including collectors, philanthropists, artists, filmmakers, and cultural and civic leaders, among others. The 2012 Moet & Chandon and FilmAid Asia Power of Film Gala is also generously supported by Italian luxury leather goods and fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo who is the exclusive fashion brand partner for the gala. Known as the "Shoemaker to the Stars" since the 1920s, Salvatore Ferragamo believes in the power of movies as a source of empowerment and inspiration. In this spirit, Salvatore Ferragamo endorses FilmAid's cause.
Tables at the Power of Film Gala are priced at HK$40,000.
To reserve a table, contact Lindsey Pleban at +852-9281-1865 or gala@filmaid.org.
About FilmAid
FilmAid is a humanitarian organization that harnesses the power of film to bring hope and education to refugees and displaced persons in need around the globe. Founded during the Balkan crisis in 1999 by producer Caroline Baron (Monsoon Wedding, Capote), FilmAid presents screenings of informational videos highlighting critical issues such as nutrition, disease, safety and conflict resolution alongside feature films with universal appeal that provide psychological relief to communities ravaged by war and displacement. In parallel to this FilmAid's Participatory Video Programme (PVP) provides young refugees access to training, equipment and a platform to tell their own stories. FilmAid is an official partner of the UN refugee organisation, UNHCR, and a vital media partner for other aid agencies working in the region.
About Moet & Chandon
Moet & Chandon has been the champagne of success and glamour since 1743, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary with the pop of a cork. Moet has been the champagne of cinema since the early days of Hollywood, supporting several hundred films since the 1930s, ranging from small productions to international blockbusters including iconic films such as Love in the Afternoon, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Pretty Woman, Titanic, Ocean's 12, Nine and Up in the Air. In the same way legendary film directors preserve timeless moments on film, Moet & Chandon continues to showcase its legendary love affair with the magic of movies.
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 as Hero and Bodyguards and Assassins. His work also includes the Ip Man series which are the highest grossing kung fu films 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.
