Hollywood Foreign Press Association Awards $500,000 To The Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation At The 2018 Festival De Cannes

CANNES, FRANCE, (May 13, 2018) – Last night, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), in association with Participant Media, awarded the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence against children, a $500,000 grant at the 2018 Festival de Cannes at their annual philanthropic celebration at Nikki Beach, located at the center of the Croisette.

John Travolta kicked off the evening and Cate Blanchett presented the grant to KSCF on behalf of the HFPA, which will go toward programs that ensure children are free, safe, healthy, in school, and are able to realize their potential.

In 2014, Kailash Satyarthi received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his more than 37 years’ experience and proven track record rescuing and rehabilitating child laborers, prioritizing children in national and international policy, and building public and corporate awareness. His tireless efforts are the subject of the upcoming award-winning documentary, Kailash, from Participant Media and Concordia Studio.

For more than 25 years, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group most well-known for producing the Golden Globe Awards®, has donated over $30 million to entertainment related charities, scholarship programs and humanitarian efforts. Licensing fees obtained from the Awards show has allowed the HFPA to support over 60 nonprofits focused on education in film and television, film preservation, journalistic organizations committed to freedom of speech, as well as organizations that support natural disaster relief and other international crises. More recently, the HFPA made a commitment to award one international organization with a grant of $500,000 annually at the Festival de Cannes, with FilmAid and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) receiving the donation in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

“The members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association take great pride in supporting over 60 worthwhile nonprofits year-round,” said Meher Tatna, HFPA president. “We are empowering a new generation of filmmakers and storytellers, preserving Hollywood’s history through film restoration, supporting humanitarian efforts, and advocating for critical issues like freedom of the press. Our annual Cannes event is the perfect opportunity to continue to raise awareness worldwide of deserving organizations and we are thrilled to partner with KSCF. Giving this recognition to my fellow countryman is serendipitous for me. The work Kailash is doing to rescue children from slavery inspires all of us.”

When accepting the grant, KSCF founder Kailash Satyarthi stated, “On behalf of the 152 million child laborers, the 10 million child slaves, and the millions more who are trafficked, out of school, refugees fleeing violence or natural disasters, I thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this generous investment in the future of the world’s children. The film and television industries play a critical role in the global fight for the freedom for all children. Even if one child is rescued or liberated because you made an attempt to highlight it, you are contributing towards a child friendly world. By telling stories and highlighting issues seen by millions around the world, this industry gives viewers the opportunity to connect to the universal human story and enables us to globalize compassion.”

Kailash, which won the U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of children from around the world today, hidden inside overcrowded factories, and forced into child labor, a crime fueled by the relentless global demand for cheap goods. With the help of a covert network of informants, Kailash and his dedicated team carry out daring raids to rescue and rehabilitate imprisoned children.

Additional attendees included Kelly Preston, Kevin Connolly, Francesca Dutton, Michael Shannon, Corey Haskins, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier, Michael Madsen, Joe Penna, Noah C. Haeussner, Christopher Lemole, Jack and Lucia Penrod, Amanda Cronin, and more.

Nikki Beach’s culinary team elevated the gourmet experience with a mix of the brand’s signature dishes, such as Chicken Satay, and Cannes’ exclusives like Yellowfin Tuna Tarte Fine with tomato marmalade. The fete was produced by Danielle Pelland’s Brilliant Consulting.