HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly was keynote speaker at Cinema for Peace Gala honoring Ben Affleck.
With him (r.) German film actress Veronica Ferres.

As keynote speaker, HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly congratulated the Honoree who – as she pointed out – got the first major award of his career from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (1997 Golden Globe for Best Screenplay – together with Matt Damon – for  Good Will Hunting).

By citing examples from her native Egypt and from her experience as a lecturer, Dr. Takla-O’Reilly, made a powerful statement about the social and political relevance of cinema: “Ben’s film Argo shows a worldwide audience the oppressive intolerance of a theocracy”.

Affleck picked up the Humanitarian Award and was hailed for demonstrating the “foresight, courage and leadership” needed to “take a stand against extreme injustice, intolerance and inequalities”.

The HFPA is a supporter of the Cinema for Peace Foundation.