HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly with Japanese superstar Yoshiki

The Hollywood Foreign Press Grants and Installation Lunch was widely covered by news organizations, magazines and television stations across the country who devoted much space and airtime to the celebrity-studded affair. More than $1.5 million was given away by the association to various film-related charities and organisations, including $350,000 to the Film Foundation, which was accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio for the preservation and restoration of classic films.