Since this is the biggest award season ever, it would be impossible to announce all the winners, but the Australian Academy Of Cinema and Television Arts Awards had a line-up of A-listers on Jan. 31 that was dazzling, even to a seasoned reporter like moi.
Some of their presenters at the Hollywood Palladium event included AACTA President Geoffrey Rush, Nicole Kidman, John Travolta, and Russell Crowe, to name a few.
“Birdman” won a total of four wins – including Best Film, and Best Lead Actor, Michael Keaton, while Julianne Moore picked up her International Award for “Still Alice.”
Others included our personal favorite, Patricia Arquette, who won an award for Best Supporting Actress in “Boyhood,” and J.K. Simmons, who was lauded for his performance in “Whiplash.”
The awards, aimed at promoting Australian business in the U.S., were sponsored by Quantas, and presented in tandem with G’Day LA at Palladium.
Actor Chris Hemsworth received a special honor by Scarlett Johansson, his co-star in “The Avengers” – but said his greatest reward after coming to L.A., was meeting his wife, Spanish-born Elsa Pataky.
Meanwhile, the Peter W. Busch Family Foundation and Mission Save Her joined together on Jan. 29 to educate international communities about rape and human trafficking, while also bringing aid to those in its clutches.
These non-profits teamed with Prajwala Clinic in India to fund reconstruction surgeries for girls mutilated by gang rape and forced prostitution.
This event at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills was hosted by Jacob Busch, Her’s founder Reggie Benjamin, and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Eric Benet.
Some of the celebs in attendance included Brian McKnight, Faith Evans, Ruben Studdard, and Brenda Russell.
Let’s pray these organizations will save the lives of thousands of women and young girls in despair!