HFPA Reception

Stars were out and so was the sun – for once! The HFPA Reception has become a Venice film Festival tradition, undaunted by the downpours which had dogged the event in recent years. This year the sun shone bright, however, as festivalgoers, industry types and filmmakers converged poolside at the Excelsior Hotel.

Together we are 150. The world’s oldest film festival and Hollywood’s first international awards association celebrated their 75th anniversaries with a party and a joint announcement about the HFPA’s new Residency initiative, in partnership with Film Independent, which will bring three winners from the festival’s Orizzonti section (and three from TIFF) to Los Angeles next January for an intensive three-week mentorship program of lectures and one-on-one labs aimed at honing their skills.