Typically, there’s no hob-nobbing that happens when we’re awarded a grant. A letter arrives, we spread the good word among our inboxes and go back to work. That’s why, every year around this time, we’re especially amped for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Installation Luncheon.

The organization that’s best known for the Golden Globes every year gives out upwards of a million dollars to a slew of important organizations, from Scorsese’s The Film Foundation for its preservation work to Film Independent for Project Involve, our diversity program that nurtures the careers of filmmakers traditionally under-represented in the industry. The award recipients are announced at a mid-day extravaganza hosted by HFPA, and packed to the gills with super A-listers.

This year, Film Independent co-presidents Josh Welsh and Sean McManus sat at a table right beside the table with Steven Spielberg, Bradley Cooper, John Travolta and Dustin Hoffman — who accepted an award for Film Independent at LACMA. But probably the most exciting moment was when Mad Men‘s Christina Hendricks took the stage to accept the award check on Film Independent’s behalf (we love Joan!).

Since it’s Friday, and since NY Fashion Week just ended, here are some photos showing you how the whole thing went down:

—by Pamela Miller, Grants Coordinator

September 14th, 2012 • No Comments