Over 300 people attended the Charity Film Awards, hosted and sponsored by Central Hall Westminster, on Friday 11th May.

The evening began with a drinks and canapé reception attended by charity representatives, business leaders, events professionals and celebrities.  Guests then took their seats in the imposing Lecture Hall for the awards ceremony, which was also supported by Central Hall’s onsite production partner, White Light.

Presenter and body confidence campaigner, Chessie King, took to the stage to introduce a selection of winning and shortlisted films during the black-tie gala ceremony. These included entries from the National Autistic Society, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Save The Children and Movember. The moving film clips were interspersed with entertainment from Leeds based band Mercutio, singer Corrina Jane and magician and public speaker, Peter Wardell.

Celebrating the third sector’s use of video, whether for awareness, changing attitudes and behaviours, or fundraising, the Charity Film Awards winners were picked by a combination of public votes and a panel of expert judges, with more than 60,000 members of the public voting for their favourite charity films.

Charities celebrating wins at the awards included Friends of Richmond Park for its heart-warming nature documentary starring Sir David Attenborough, The National Autistic Society for its film: ‘Make it Stop,’ and Movember with ‘Suicide Notes Talk Too Late.’ The British Hedgehog Society scooped The People’s Choice Award for ‘Hedgehog Close’.

Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster, commented: “Together with our onsite production partner, White Light, we were absolutely thrilled to support the Charity Film Awards by providing the venue, AV and production services free of charge. As an organisation which exists to look after our magnificent historical building and support charities around the world, we were so proud to be involved.”

Simon Burton, co-founder of the Charity Film Awards, added: “The Charity Film Awards celebrate how charities use video, whether for fundraising or raising awareness to change behaviour. The films that won this evening are stunning examples of modern charity communications. We had over 400 charities enter the Awards and it is a great achievement for all those charities who made it through as Finalists. Congratulations to all the winning charities.”

Adam Parry
Author: Adam Parry

Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.