Cher and share alike

Canadian Film Centre raises funds with Moonstruck

If it’s February, you know that it’s time for the Canadian Film Centre’s Annual Gala and Auction. Stars from the stage and screen as well as the biggest industry insiders from Hollywood North came out to celebrate Moonstruck, and CFC founder Norman Jewison. The internationally acclaimed filmmaker, with numerous awards to his name, has produced and directed some of the most memorable films of our lifetime. It was a fitting tribute to celebrate a movie that resonated with so many. Upon arrival at The Carlu in Toronto, hundreds of guests posed not on the red carpet, but in front of a massive backdrop — where they could mimic Cher’s famous pose in

front of the glowing moon, an image that is embedded in so many of our minds. “This year, we’re honouring a film I made many years ago called Moonstruck,” said Jewison via video message. “You know, when you think about it, it had a great story, fabulous performances, terrific music, brilliant editing, a wonderful screenplay, fantastic production and adequate direction … but it went on to win the Academy Award. It’s something that is very close to my heart, and this is what we’re celebrating tonight, and what we celebrate at the (Canadian) Film Centre — passion, love, commitment and a little magic.” And magical it was! This year’s live auction packages included tickets to see The Graham Norton Show live in London; tickets to AMC’s Walking Dead Season 7 Premiere Event; a trip to Los Angeles to enjoy the Season 10 live finale of CTV’s The Voice; a $10,000 shopping spree at Holt Renfrew, complete with a personal shopper and lunch for four at Holts Café; a private screening of a Warner Bros. movie at the luxurious Shangri- La Hotel Toronto; courtside tickets to a Toronto Raptors game against the Utah Jazz; and a trip to NYC for the exclusive première event of Allegiant, the third instalment in the popular Divergent series. Needless to say, the hands were flying and the bidding was down right fierce!

The Annual Gala and Auction, this year presented by The Slaight Family Foundation, Cineplex Entertainment and NBC Universal is the CFC’s biggest fundraising event. This year’s event surpassed the 2015 gala for the most funds raised toward CFC’s film, TV, music, acting and digital media programs.

Weekend Post PHOTOS BY GEORGE PIMENTEL

PHOTOGRAPHY

Stephanie Critelli, marketing manager, brand and communications at Cineplex Entertainment; Maxine Chapman, executive director, brand experience, Cineplex Entertainment; LauraMingail, senior marketing manager, brand and communications

Actors Kate Corbett and Johnathan Sousa

Derrick Ross, president, Slaight Music; Jorn Weisbrodt, artistic director, Luminato Festival

Tyson Parker, head of artist and music industry relations, Bell Media; Randy Lennox, president, entertainment production and broadcasting, Bell Media

Alex Bellamy, partner, GTA lead, media and entertainment, KPMG; Harold Gronenthal, executive vice-president, programming and operations, AMC Global and Sundance Channel Global; Christina Jennings, chairwoman and CEO, Shaftesbury

Actors Jade Hassouné andAlexandra Ordolis

Rob Guenette, president and CEO, TAXI; Daryn Sutherland, vice-president, account services, Inventa

Mary-Beth Schwalm and Jeff Kuzyk

Director Gail Harvey and Kathryn Emslie,chief programs officer, CFC

Mo-D and Krista Webster, president of VeritasCommunications

Actor Wendy Crewson

Singer/songwriter, composerAdaline

Amoryn Engel

2015 CFC Slaight Family Music Residents: Armen Bazarian, composer; Dillon Baldassero, composer; Ava Kibalian, singer/songwriter; Lisa Conway, singer/songwriter; Emily Klassen,composer; Casey Manierka- Quaile, singer/songwriter

Actors Andy McQueen and Gabe Grey

Michael Cooper, president and chief responsible officer, Dream Unlimited; Krystal Koo- Cooper, VP, sales and marketing atDream Unlimited

Lucia Remedios, owner, Analogue Gallery; Jeffrey Remedios, president andCEO, Universal Music Canada

CFC COO Sheena Macdonald and Harold Gronenthal, executive vice president, programming and operations, AMC Global andSundance Channel Global

Pianist Bill King and opera singerMeasha Brueggergosman

Karlee Vukets and Danielle McCarron

Blake Goldring, chairman and chief executive officer, AGFManagement Limited; and Belinda Goldring

CFC CEO Slawko Klymkiw and Gary Slaight, president andCEO, Slaight Communications Inc.

Jaime Robson, major gifts officer, TSO; Allison Rapson

Ben Mulroney

Erica Ehm