$2.6 Million in Grants to Be Presented to Nonprofit Organizations and Institutions to Further The HFPA’s Mission
Press Release – HOLLYWOOD, CA. (July 24, 2017) – The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announced today that Chelsea Handler will host the HFPA’s Annual Grants Banquet at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Aug. 2. Presenters will include Anthony Mackie, Armie Hammer, Ava DuVernay, Billy Bob Thornton, Bob Odenkirk, Chadwick Boseman, Chrissy Metz, Dylan Minnette, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Kathryn Hahn, Kumail Nanjiani, and Robert Pattinson. Tony Award nominee Keala Settle will give a special live performance.
“We are delighted to welcome Chelsea Handler as the host of this year’s annual Grants Banquet,” said HFPA President Meher Tatna. “Not only is she a wonderful comedian, but she’s also a socially conscious and outspoken activist. With her help, we will continue the HFPA’s mission of opening doors for underrepresented students, preserving the rich history of television and film, and ushering in the next generation of storytellers and artists.”
In a single evening, the HFPA will present more than $2.6 million in funds to nonprofit entertainment-related organizations and scholarship programs. The HFPA focuses their grants in four major areas: nurturing the development of young artists in film and television through support for scholarships, fellowships and education; preserving the culture and history of motion pictures by supporting film preservation; promoting cultural exchange and understanding through support for major programs and exhibitions that utilize film to ignite critical dialogue; and supporting special projects, educational and cultural activities connected with the entertainment industry.
The HFPA began giving grants as early as 1989 to institutions such as University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Southern California (USC) and the American Cinematheque, which continue to receive support today. The HFPA has created endowments at Los Angeles colleges and universities to help underserved students such as Los Angeles Community College and California State University, Northridge. In addition, over the years the HFPA has responded to outside issues and humanitarian crises throughout the world. Earlier this year, the HFPA provided the International Rescue Committee with a $500,000 grant that was presented at the Cannes Film Festival.
For more than 25 years, the HFPA has committed nearly $30 million in grants, provided more than 1,500 scholarships and helped restore over 90 titles. The mission of the HFPA’s Charitable Trust is to foster education, diversity and creative expression in art and film through a variety of programs and special grants. Through the annual Grants Banquet, the HFPA will continue to provide funds and resources to institutions and people that need it most.
