Hollywood Foreign Press give away $1.2 million

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-12 09:14

Actress Eva Longoria Parker jokingly places a check in her dress as she accepts a grant on behalf of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – At the annual Golden Globe Awards, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gives away gold-and-marble statuettes.

At its annual summer luncheon held Tuesday, the group gave away $1.2 million in grants to arts organizations nationwide.

Warren Beatty, Rose McGowan, Eva Longoria Parker and Dylan McDermott were among the stars who joined association president Philip Berk at the Beverly Hills Hotel to present grants to 29 film schools and nonprofit groups.

The private, untelevised luncheon drew scads of celebrities and industry execs, who shmoozed over champagne and fine food.

"I always behave badly at events for the Hollywood Foreign Press because they're more fun than everything else," Beatty said as he accepted a $350,000 grant to help the Film Foundation preserve and restore historic films.

Ignoring the TelePrompTer, Beatty told the crowd he won the "most promising newcomer" award at the first Golden Globes of his career, but he misplaced the trophy.

Berk promised the 72-year-old actor a replacement statuette would be in his office by next week.

Other stars appearing on behalf of the grant beneficiaries also had a little fun on the podium.

Longoria Parker, who accepted a grant on behalf of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, jokingly stuffed the $20,000 check into her dress.

"Juno" director Jason Reitman told a personal story about his filmmaker father as he thanked the association for its $30,000 grant to support the Los Angeles Conservancy, which preserves historic theaters.

Carla Gugino, who accepted a $25,000 grant for Inner-City Arts, skipped the TelePrompTer and spoke from the heart about the need for art in impoverished communities.

"Art is not a luxury," she said. "It is a necessity of the human soul."

Other groups awarded grants included the Lollipop Theatre Network, which provides movie screenings for hospitalized children; FilmAid International, which stages screenings and provides film education for refugees worldwide; Film Independent, which puts on the annual Spirit Awards; and the Sundance Institute. Nine film schools also received grants to support fellowships.

The association has given more than $10 million in grants over the past 15 years, Berk said.