By Adrienne Papp

The Golden Globe Awards, a casual, yet glamorous celebration of the film and television industries brought out Hollywood’s elite in a dazzling display of high fashion and exquisite looks, with some edgy Ricky Gervais remarks thrown in for spice.  Now, that’s a good way to start off the awards season in the Entertainment Capital of the World! The Hollywood Foreign Press impressed every one more this year than any other year before!  And, the talks both on Ricky’s style continued forever just as much as the Fashion Police from Channel E gave a full run down on everyone’s choice of style with Joan Rivers, who is just histerically funny. Gervais and Rivers make these events memorable forever.

Ricky Gervais

After a red carpet prequel that featured stunning fashion elegance, baby bumps, and the finest talent in town, Gervais opened the show. Big winners included The Social Network, the Aaron Sorkin-penned drama based on the unauthorized book about the founding of Facebook.  The Social Network picked up a lot of friends and some major momentum in the competition for more industry awards as it got the Golden Globes for best drama, director and screenplay, steeling the award from The King’s Speech, which by far is one of the best movies ever made. And, I am not saying that just because the writer, David Seidler is my next door neighbor, who was also nominated as Best Screenplay Writer.

Other big winners included Annette Bening, who won the comedic actress trophy for The Kids Are All Right, which also won for best comedy. Natalie Portman’s performance as an obsessive dancer in Black Swan demonstrated that she’s an actress to be reckoned with, and she took the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a dramatic role.

Colin Firth also added to a Golden Globe Award to his shelf on Sunday for his acclaimed role in The King’s Speech, which also probably makes him the favorite to pick up the best-actor Oscar on February 27.

The show kicked off by honoring Christian Bale with a supporting-actor award for his portrayal of real-life crack addict Dickie Ecklund in The Fighter, a boxing drama inspired by the real-life struggles of boxer Micky Ward, and Melissa Leo later earned an award for her supporting role in the same film, and was obviously thrilled with her win.

Robert De Niro received the honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award, after a film montage of his work in some of the most memorable films in history. Adding weight to its Academy Awards chances, family favorite and big money earner Toy Story 3 took the trophy for best animated film. Denmark’s In a Better World took the Golden Globe for best foreign-language film.

Anne Hathaway as Best Dressed at the 2011 Golden Globes

The tone of the evening was an energetic mix of emotional gravitas and wisecracking, with beer toting host Ricky Gervais making remarks that sometimes ended up being controversial.  Bruce Willis seemed especially perplexed when he was introduced as “Ashton Kutcher’s dad,” and later in the evening Tom Hanks and Tim Allen took shots at Gervais in retaliation.  It all made for a lively and exciting evening.

In the television category, it was a big night for Fox’s Glee, which won for best comedy series and was also awarded best supporting-acting trophies for Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer, who spoke inspirationally about being true to one’s self.  HBO’s Boardwalk Empire took the award for best TV miniseries, with star Steve Buscemi also winning a Golden Globe for his role in the series.  Claire Danes took the award for Best Actress for her performance in Temple Grandin, a true story.

Angelina Jolie at the 2011 Golden Globes

Part of the excitement at the Golden Globes comes from the stunning show of fashion that begins on the red carpet and then wends its way to the stage as the awards are handed out.  Burlesque star Christina Aguilera wore a black lace over nude strapless Zuhair Murad gown and wore her blonde hair parted in the center.  Other stars who displayed a sense of Hollywood glamour included Anne Hathaway in a sparkling long sleeved high necked Armani dress, Easy A star Emma Stone in a short-sleeved peach-colored Calvin Klein design and Angelina Jolie, a true movie goddess in a sparkling backless green Versace gown.  A popular favorite for the best dress award was Catherine Zeta Jones in a shimmering strapless emerald green gown, a look made even more attractive with a healthy Michael Douglas at her side.

In the end, it was an exciting and sometimes moving event beginning the New Year and the traditional start of the awards season. There was a lot of Hollywood sizzle and glamour, plenty of laughs, and an acknowledgement of some of the finest talent and film and television work, the kind of creativity that lifts our spirits in even the most challenging times.

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View, Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Today among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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By Adrienne Papp

Not that it would be a concern to anyone, but Sean Penn is not a showy and conceited exhibitionist that some of  the well known actors have a tendency toward, which their fans sometimes even fancy and certainly mimic.  Instead, he is a cool, down to Earth guy who makes it a point to go unnoticed in public if he only can!

Penn is known in Hollywood as an intense film actor capable of unforgettably moving performances and who has drawn much media attention for his stormy private life, political viewpoints and a certain non-conformist approach.

Despite his obvious celebrity “vibe,” intensive energy and unique chain-smoking habit, or as expressed in the media: his addiction to nicotine, I would call it a non-conformist approach to life, he is humble and caring. Someone you would call a true humanitarian!

Penn manages to go incognito driving a beat up car that looks more like a movie prop and pulls absolutely no attention at all, but only because there is seemingly no one who makes it a point to look at their fellow drivers on the PCH! Yet, Sean Penn got too much of a presence for any lively soul to miss him despite the old car, the baseball heat and the sunglasses. His driving style gives out the same intense energy that he himself projects.  “I’ve been a road-rat since I got my driver’s license at 16, so I’ve probably gone across America 20 times,” he says.

I was one of those people who did not mean to notice him, but could not help it! Sean Penn is a work of art!  He does not need to say a word, or do anything much, his presence is enough!

Of course, he also has an enviable record in making films.  As an actor he first appeared in Taps in 1981, and then as the too cool for school surfer dude Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982.  It was a performance that became part of the culture, and propelled him to stardom.

Which is not necessarily what he wanted.  For Penn, craft has always been the motivator.   “I became an actor because of Robert De Niro,” he says.

The 1990s was a decade in which Sean received a lot of critical acclaim as a mature, versatile and accomplished actor, with a string of dynamic performances in first-rate films.

With frizzy hair and thin rimmed glasses, make up and wardrobe making him look like an authentic Jewish New York attorney, Penn delivered a brilliant performance as a corrupt lawyer in Brian De Palma’s Carlito’s Way opposite Al Pacino, which was followed by a Death Row inmate pleading with a caring nun to save his life in Dead Man Walking in 1995, resulting in his first Oscar nomination. Penn then continued to an exceptional career path with perfect choices of characters.  I still have the script of Dead Man Walking signed by him, Susanne Sarandon and the director. Someone somehow made a mistake and when I lived at the Chateau Marmont, the script was on my desk in the room one day. I do not know to this day what happened.

Sean followed that performance with a role as Michael Douglas’ brother in The Game (1997) and a key role in the star-studded anti-war film The Thin Red Line in 1998.

More recently Penn received his third Oscar nomination for I Am Sam (2001) and won an Oscar as an anguished father seeking revenge for his daughter’s murder in the gut-wrenching Clint Eastwood-directed Mystic River.  He received accolades and a second Academy Award for his role in Milk in 2008,the story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official.  Penn has never been one to shrink from challenging roles, and he has been recognized by his peers as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

As we got into a great car chase for a good half an hour on the PCH we  came close to saying hello to one another. But, that might have required a collision.

I have been pulled over a few times for speeding, and I know he had a run-in with the law at some point for reckless driving, but this time I thought if I get yet another ticket it will be worth it.

I enjoyed the chase , the incognito, the ‘reckless” driving style of very impatient people who really do not have the time to stick to the speed limits, or stop at every stop sign. He made that half an hour a lot of fun for me.

Wanting to be mostly invisible in public is fully justified: it is an international epidemic that celebs get torn apart wherever they go. And, even worse, one word taken out of context, or one bad photo, and the tabloid creates a spiraling untrue story only so that these less than ethical publications can sell their papers. And, obviously on the part of the celebrity paying no attention to all that nonsense is easier than fighting it, as these hard working stars hardly have the time for a decent enough private life let alone fighting with the tabloid.

Is this media frenzy around celebs pathetic? No, I think it is worse than that, I think it is desperate sensationalism that has become a cultural habit!

Why is it of any news channel’s business to know who does what outside their jobs, celebrity or not? God forgive me, but I never understood how any channel could make it their business to report on anyone’s private life! Why is that okay?

Excuse my ignorance but is there any reason besides profits to do all this? And, is this ethical?

Anyone going against these principles I believe is just wrong and I will say that no matter if the “Keeping Them Honest”  news channel, or the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” reality show have a different point of view on all this because instead of the bull they just should come up with a matching content to their titles and really keeping them “honest” (for the first time since man walked the Earth) and for those who got nothing better to do than keeping up with the Kardashians. I’ve got five diplomas and I still do not get the meaning of all this. Or, maybe I just cannot keep up?

What captivates me about Sean Penn is that he is one of those really talented megastars, who also really cares, but without the show, and rather just through real work. Let’s not make philosophies about what the World needs, but instead put the bandages where they are needed, and this time let’s go even further: let’s actually work on getting these people real help and not just bandages!   He does care for Haiti and other charities with complete sincerity, rolling up his sleeves, getting hand on with the locals and pleading for help on the silver screen instead of throwing a red carpet “patronage” for one charity or another serving mostly star publicity, which cost a fortune all by itself rather than much anything else. There are of course serious charities endorsed by celebrities but they tend to really walk the walk  instead of talking the talk.

Thankfully Sean Peen is on my side, or so I think.  I bet, he would not want to have a fun-based, foregone conclusion type of red carpet dinner about Haiti, or a scripted reality show, but rather gets on with actual down and dirty work.

Putting his full passion into the relief effort, Sean founded the J/P HRO Haitian Relief Organization in the wake of the January earthquake and has spent months helping to rebuild the Caribbean nation.

As a result of his honest determination and effort, Sean Penn’s charity efforts in Haiti are now receiving substantial aid, including a donation by former U.S. President Bill Clinton of $500,000 to the actor’s cause.

The Clinton Foundation‘s donation will go towards a camp in Petionville, which is run by the Penn’s organization.  Even though the efforts in Haiti will have to continue for many years, Penn appreciates all the aid and support that has come his way. “The support of President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation is an extraordinary boost in our organization’s ability to continue its work in Haiti,” he says.

When it comes to creative talent in Hollywood, there are actors and actor’s actors, and then there are those people who do it all, whose talent and passion transcend simple categorization, who become a representative spokesperson for their industry and even their country.

Sean Penn is one of the few people in Hollywood who fits that category.  Not only does he have an enviable record as an actor and director, he has recently earned the respect of fans outside the entertainment community, like Bill Clinton, through his efforts to help relieve the misery and human suffering. Not a bad cause to chose as one of many true meanings of one’s life!

About the Author of This Article:  Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View, Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Today among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicity and publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazine is owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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By Adrienne Papp

When you have a film festival coming together in historic Woodstock, New York, you can expect a low key atmosphere, some excellent independent films, key appearances by artists, some of whom have become celebrities due to their extraordinary contribution to the world of art, hard work, and not just for the sake of fancy, which the general public so often falsely assumes.

This year even musical performances added to the spirit of tradition and ease, lifting the community with its heritage leaving a mark that somehow preserved the real core of art.  Unlike film festivals like Tribecca in New York City, the atmosphere at Woodstock always seems intimate and casual. After all, values and traditions originated from here, which to some degree caused our generation to come into being! The attendees today are artists who love independent filmmaking, gathering in a charming and vastly creative atmosphere that can pride itself in a historical authenticity.

The 11th annual Woodstock Film Festival, which ran through October 3^rd, offered a slate of almost 150 films, ongoing discussion panels, live performances and numerous events hosted by the legendary upstate New York arts colony. It’s a five-day film fest and a chance for filmmakers to show their work and make an impression in the rural laid-back terrain.  Some of the key features shown this year included Stone, starring Robert De Niro and Edward Norton, and the documentary Freakonomics. I loved this one, as I happened to be an Economist myself. I have a Master of Science in Economics, and an Honorary PhD in logistics, setting the grounds for DHL and FEDEX, and inventing a mathematical formula, which projected a great consternation and frantic expectations onto me, except I myself never got it: what does that even mean to be an Economist?

I was once seated in New York City’s Waldorf Astoria’s upscale dinner party hosted by BMW with the Chief Economist of one Investment Company or another (probably bankrupt by now, or as fashion dictates lately, bailed out one way or another) on my right; and the President of the German Bundesbank on my left, and they were both Economists. And, during a long and boring speech I asked both of them: what does this even mean to be Economists?  And, they both looked at me as if I was from another planet: “Oh, we thought you were a model! “-  was the first reaction!  But none of them could answer the question. Not that they did not want to, but they were lost in between something that not even the White House has figured out to this day!

“But, you know, to tell you the truth, I do not know what it mans to be an Economist either,” said the German Director of Bundesbank. I just go to work every day and I sign a bunch of papers.”

And, the other Gentleman said: “Honey, do not be an Economist! You can, with this education be anything you want! An Economist would tell the investment banker what to do, and an Economist would tell the President what to do, and anyone else in finance, but it is the investment banker, and the “everyone else” who will make the money, not the Economist!  There are 50 Economists in the entire country of the United States who make any money at all!”  he said.

Well, this sounded a little disappointing to me at the time. Yet, I was 26 so I just discounted all this as  “old men gone wrong in their choices” and looked for the next chocolate covered strawberry plate at the party. I was there for the party in the first place, but when all this turned out about me, I became the center of attention, everyone around me thinking: who in their right mind could possible want to be an Economist?

“What are they thinking, these old losers,” I thought! Not that I deep down did not know that what they were saying was somewhat of the truth!  But, hearing it from people three times my age made me want to live by the ocean with a dog and a cat!

So I walked away from the dinner table and into the dance floor, and thought, “Okay, I spent ten years of my life to become smart, and it turns out that being pretty is actually more appealing than having a brain…? After all, these two MAJOR economists thought I was a model, and so did everyone else, although I was running an investment company.  So, why bother having a brain in the first place?”

This “ not having a brain is good” thing could by the way be the most inventive slogan for our government today as a form of addressing the rest of us citizens (none-government.) It feels like they assume we will not “notice” a few tricks here and there.

So, what does it really mean to be an Economist? As a student at one of the top  Universities in Europe, which we called the “torture chamber,” I knew that it meant endless sleepless nights and getting hooked on cigarettes with gallons of caffeine just to make it through from one bloody exam to the next without sleeping at all. Just for exams ranging anywhere from mathematics into its deepest, darkest, most uncharted territories to a never ending rabbit hole syndrome of some frighteningly freakin’ physics that not even Einstein was at peace with, and continuing onto as far fetched of subjects as the law, the actual legal systems of all societies that required five other books to decode every word in just one of the vast and heavy books I wondered if I had a long enough life to get through at all. The size of just one book could certainly drain a 300-pound man in an average bathtub and had a language that is not even from this World. If men are from Mars, legal language is from Hell for sure!

Freakonomics

Now, our classes did not end there! It incorporated everything from social sciences, through architecture of a ship, or an airplane, or a vessel of unknown origin, whether it made sense or not, “evolving” all the way into political science, which subject every single student failed whether a total moron, or a higher IQ than the Dean!  I detested it with every cell in my body of course. And, having the mouth of a true rebel I made note of my observations! Teachers hated me, students wanted to copy me, others feared me, and guys were chasing me.  All of this forbidden thinking created a serious concern about my possible abduction among those who scared for my life, which I thought gave me great immunity overall. If I am to get executed for my point of view, I might as well just let it out.

Well, of course all of my beliefs about Economics and all of its politics created a lot of controversy!

If there are more than two people in one room there will be friction in the end, such is the law of men! Marx was great, but he missed out because he left out the human element! Smith and Ricardo understood this better. Too bad that politics win out altogether. But, interestingly enough, all that was predicted by Marx! So, after all he was not as big of an idiot as the World in general thought he was with his communistic ideas, etc… He actually NEVER wanted communism, he got simply misjudged by a number of idiots early on due to a complete misinterpretation of what he actually meant!  But, in the end, as things are going now, he proved himself right. Not that I will ever agree with anything remotely communistic or socialistic! But, what is happening today is what Marx talked about! What a shame! This is not what we expected, is it?

We had a “tea party thing” going already 30 years ago, except it was not tea, but wine, and there was no party, but a few bright, unspoiled (unbrainwashed) students who just thought that anything government planned did now work! NOBODY needs to be an Economist to know that! But, everyone needs to be smart enough to not buy the centrally planned, well, it used be called economics, but today it seems that we have a centrally planned everything.  Never mind that it will never work! Not only it is far from human nature, but it is also irrational.  It is just pure politics and who kisses up to whom, but with a street smart mind, which I believe most of us have, with or without any formal education, WHY under the sun would any government bail out anything or anyone, unless it is for pure human needs?? Of course we feed the hungry and look at extreme poverties, which are by the way the worst form of violence, but, bailing out large bureaucratic corporations and banks while some die of hunger, or lack of medical attention, is complete insanity to say the lest! How can ANY Economist allow this? Bails like this trigger a chain reaction and the situation will only get worse. Excuse me, but we are having things twisted around here and not just a little bit! But, quite a LOT and, this has NOTHING to do with being a D or an R. Nothing at all! It has to do with plain politics and dare I say: stupidity? Because in the end there is more consequences to ego games, power and “cute moves” than just politics. It will crumble down to plain stupidity! Not that the players do not get it in the end. The problem is they get it ONLY in the end. This entire subject is the length of a book, so for the sake of the festival, let us say no more!

Well, the funny thing is that all this political science crap is something that politics practice every day for better or worse! The fact that these days it is happening for the worse kind of pokes the eye, so no comment is needed there!

Because collectively “they” who run the government and through it everything else, well, quite literally just do not have the faintest idea of what they are doing! God save America! This time we mean it, because Boy if it is not going to be God, there is not one inch of hope we can cling to.

Woodstock Fillm Festival/ Photo by David Cunningham

Thankfully this article is about the film festival, otherwise I might want to get into the other fashionable subject these days, which is the media telling us what we should think!  And, interestingly enough these are the biggest news channels out there.  They have “analysts” now who tell “our lost and certainly ignorant souls” how to interpret the news because we all seem, what stupid? Because we really cannot figure it out for ourselves, or?  Just like in a centrally planned economy: the government thinks for us, God bless them and they could not care less if we do not agree with them! After all, who are we? The people? It seems as if that was not enough credit for them to listen to us and not just talk. The media telling us WHAT to think and HOW to have the “right” view on everything while they belong to entertainment companies! So are we now in the business to create sensation, rather than plain facts?  Oh, no, that would not occur to an entertainment company at all, would it?

This new headline news called “Keeping Them Honest” is just hilarious! I love the title. By the way, just on the side note: how do you keep “them” honest? What does that even mean? How do you exactly “keep” anyone honest? With words that touch the soul? As if anyone gave a flying Eagle about that — too many lies went down in the past few years, so touching the soul is kind of not working that well these days!   Or, with the District Attorney, or with a gun, or temper tantrums, threats…, everyone talking over each other at the same time in an interview to the degree that it is painful to watch?   Just please tell me how you keep them/anyone honest?

Well, it must be a rhetorical question because the fact that this “line” has even been invented implies all by itself that nobody is honest! Or, is it just the next sensation? You got to be kiddin’ me. Sorry, I just do not get it, and in my opinion it is all, well, let’s use a sophisticated word: rubbish!

On the other hand I might be out of my mind because I just saw Anderson Cooper in a bunny outfit talking to a bunch of monkeys ( literally )  in a laundry room on the news called “Keeping Them Honest!?”AND, the worst part is that I was not drunk, or under any influence of any kind, which I have never been to start with, but all this was actually happening on a NEWS CAST TV program on CNN that is supposed, I guess, to be on top of everything by “Keeping Them Honest!,”  which inventive title  most people would be actually taking seriously! And then the host shows up in a bunny suit in a laundry room trying to communicate with a bunch of innocent, but I bet more intelligent bunch of monkeys  than the crew behind  the “Keeping Them Honest” invention!  Not that it was a shock to me! A “shock” would not describe it! It was more like the final countdown! Something that leaves you speechless and simply there is nothing else to say! You just wonder who is the one who lost it altogether completely! God Bless Everyone!

To where are we going exactly with this attitude? Arrogance is not a solution and if we are at the point where we need to keep “them” honest, we are past the point of no return!

Luckily we got some honest and straightforward artists, who are not interested in politics!  Academy-award nominated writer/director and Woodstock resident Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia), and award ceremony presenters at the Woodstock Film Festival honored film in both narrative and documentary categories are exceptional creative artists.  The Lee Marvin Award for best narrative feature went to Stranger Things, directed by Eleanor Burke and Ron Eyal, while Marwencol, directed by Jeff Malmberg, received the award for best feature documentary.

Stranger Things tells the simple story of a vagrant who breaks into the home of a young woman’s recently deceased grandmother. It’s a small-scale story portrayed sensitively by fine actors depicting broader themes of responsibility, loss and community.

Marwencol depicts the physical and psychological recovery from an attack by five men outside a city bar 10 years ago that results in brain damage for one of the locals.

Among the award winners determined by the audience were Grace Paley: Collected Shorts, directed by Lilly Rivlin as Documentary Feature. According to the festival’s description of the film, the documentary recounts the story of Paley, an author and activist, and includes interviews with her daughter, granddaughter, and a wide range of fellow writers and activists. The Audience Award for Narrative Feature went to White Irish Drinkers, with Inuk as the runner-up. White Irish Drinkers, directed by John Gray, tells the story of brothers trapped in blue collar Brooklyn, circa 1975.

This year actor Keanu Reeves was on hand to receive an Excellence in Acting award, appearing with Vera Farmiga.

Reeves acted but also produced his new movie, Henry’s Crime, which although got an interesting story line I did not have the privilege to see.

Other actors who showed up to enjoy the creative atmosphere were Danny Glover and Edie Falco.

In keeping with its location, the festival typically tips its hat to the area’s musical heritage. Movies being screened this year with musical themes include LENNONYC about John Lennon’s time in New York City and Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune about the activist folk singer.

Other highlights were Friday night’s Fright Night event included the screening of Don’t Go Into the Woods, which was directed by part-time local resident Vincent D’Onofrio, and a question-and-answer session following the screening of Keanu Reeves’ film Henry’s Crime.

Among other prominent film industry luminaries attending the Woodstock Film Festival 2010 were Adrian Grenier and Tess Harper, and many other talented Indie filmmakers including Larry Fessenden, Bruce Beresford, Bob Berney, Barbara Kopple, Signe Baumane, Bill Plympton, Bingham Ray, John Sloss, and Doreen Ringer Ross.

Kudos for those extraordinary artists who do not follow the crowd, but rather crave the pave, no matter how hard, on the journey of making a difference for all!

View the full list of award recipients and A Photo Gallery

About the Author of This Article:  Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View, Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Today among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicity and publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazine is owned by Atlantic United, Inc with Adrienne Papp being the majority shareholder.

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Courtesy of Adrienne Papp

By Adrienne Papp

Since the Academy’s inception in 1987, BAFTA / LA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) has consistently presented a varied and innovative program that inspires and advances creative works, and embraces, supports and honors the wealth of creative talent in the US and California communities. The past twelve months has seen BAFTA / LA present another successful year of programming, all of which begins with the dedication and hard work of the BAFTA / LA Members serving on the Board and Committees.

The year started with the Annual Awards Season Tea Party held in the luxurious surroundings of the Beverly Hills Hotel. A staple fixture in the industry calendar, the party honors nominees from around the world, and provides a unique afternoon of British themed food and drink for those seeking a respite from the hectic Awards’ season. Once again the turnout was laden with filmmakers from all areas of the industry, and amongst those sipping tea and eating fish & chips were Clint Eastwood, Leonardo Di Caprio, Danny Boyle, Ron Howard, Stephen Daldry, Tom Wilkinson, Marisa Tomei, Alexandre Desplat, Viola Davis, Freida Pinto, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, and Josh Brolin.

Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Teri Polo at BAFTA dinner

Later in the year, BAFTA / LA hosted a second Tea Party to celebrate the year’s achievements in television and to honor those Commonwealth and British-born individuals nominated in the Emmy Awards. Both Tea Parties shine a spotlight on the success and creative accomplishments of the peers, rewarding their film and television work while inspiring their colleagues and members to continually expand their own creative visions.

Emily Blunt at BAFTA dinner

Much of the proceeds raised from the events’ silent auctions are invested into BAFTA / LA’s Education and Outreach program, which continues to flourish. BAFTA / LA awarded British film students at UCLA, and in June they presented emerging filmmakers with the BAFTA / LA student awards.

To inspire and celebrate scholars and students, BAFTA / LA held a special screening of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, directed by the former UCLA scholar, Sacha Gervasi and all was thrilled to note that the evening energized and inspired many Members to offer their time and support to further expand the organization’s work.

In an exquisite dinner setting, on November 5, this year’s honorees were, Kirk Douglas for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment; Danny Boyle for Artistic Excellence in Directing; Emily Blunt for British Artist of the Year; Robert De Niro for Excellence in Film and Colin Firth received the BAFTA / LA Humanitarian Award.

Kirk Douglas receives BAFTA awards from the Governor

The Host for the evening was Stephen Fry and the events was sponsored by British Airways, Volvo, American Airlines, Asprey, Beefeater 24, and Stefan Johansson Vaxjo.

Among the presenters were Ben Stiller, Claire Danes, Amy Adams, Benicio Del Toro, Ewan McGregor and Tom Ford.

About the Writer: Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View, Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles/New York-based publicity companies, Atlantic Publicity andAtlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities and world leaders. She also owns Spotlight News Magazine.

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