YBF stars aligned to help present millions of dollars to non-profit entertainment-related organizations at the HFPA banquet. Meanwhile, Jaden Smith, French Montana and more hit the party scene in NYC. Deets and flicks inside…
Several of your fave YBF stars gathered together at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills to attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Grants Banquet. The HFPA presented more than $2.8 million in funds to nonprofit entertainment-related organizations, foundations and scholarship programs with the help of some star-studded support.
Fab directress Ava DuVernay took the stage to accept a grant on behalf of The American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women, a tuition-free program that provides mentorship and hands-on training to increase the number of female directors. Y'all know Ava is all about actual women empowerment!
During the acceptance speech, Ava asked, “Did you know that in the 1920s and 30s more than 300 films were directed by women?”
“Sad how times have changed later on in our ‘modern’ age. Women in film – or rather lack thereof – have been a big point of discussion in these past few years and thankfully efforts are being made to change the appalling statistics.”
Wow. Learn something new everyday.
“How To Get Away With Murder” star Aja Naomi King and Captain America star Anthony Mackie accepted a grant on behalf the Columbia University, School of Arts Film Division.
The duo expressed the importance of education and shared their own personal stories. “My parents really wanted me to go to college and get a real job,” said Aja. “I graduated from Yale with a masters degree in fine arts.”
Anthony followed up, “I can’t compete with your masters degree, but like you I actually studied my craft. First at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in my hometown and then at Juilliard… which is better than Yale.”
Props to them!
Hottie Chadwick Boseman, who's starring in Black Panther, also took to the stage to accept a grant.
And here's how the YBFers hit the carpet...
Aja shined in this yellow Reformation gown on the carpet.
Looking good fellas.
In the Big Apple....
Jaden Smith is filming his new movie Life In A Year, but that doesn't mean he can't squeeze in some fun in between hitting the set. The 19-year-old actor linked up with several of his celeb homies, including French Montana, Justine Skye, ASAP Ferg, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, Scott Disick, Jordan Woods, and Luca Sabat -- to celebrate a friend's birthday at Cipriani.
Interesting look ASAP Ferg.
After dinner, the crew made their way to the Marquee nightclub for the birthday turn up.
Photos: Getty/HFPA Photographer/Backgrid
