New York, 15 April 2016 – At the Tribeca Film Festival® in New York, IWC Schaffhausen celebrated the art of filmmaking and showcased its support for emerging artists at the fourth annual “For the Love of Cinema” gala dinner. IWC CMO Franziska Gsell co-hosted the evening with Tribeca Film Festival founders Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff.
The luxury watch manufacturer delighted the 200 notable guests with the presentation of the IWC Filmmaker Award, which went to this year’s honouree, Matt Ruskin. IWC brand ambassadors Scott Eastwood and Dev Patel, and host, comedian Joel McHale, entertained the star-studded crowd before an exclusive performance by JOHNNYSWIM closed the evening’s event.
— Matt Ruskin accepts the IWC Filmmaker Award onstage from Joel McHale, CMO Franziska Gsell and Anna Ponder at the exclusive gala event “For the Love of Cinema” during the Tribeca Film Festival.
IWC CMO Franziska Gsell welcomed esteemed IWC brand ambassadors Dev Patel, Karolina Kurkova and Scott Eastwood, as well as TFF jurors Jason Biggs, Jennifer Westfeldt, Judy Greer and Hill Harper and, finally, Tribeca Film Festival co-founders Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff at Spring Studios to the “For the Love of Cinema” dinner.
Many esteemed members of the film community attended as well, including TFF directors Katie Holmes and Michael Rappaport and actress Kate Mara. As a highlight, Franziska Gsell presented this year’s award winner Matt Ruskin with the USD 50,000 film grant, as well as the official IWC Filmmaker Award trophy and an IWC timepiece. “The IWC Filmmaker Award is a unique opportunity to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of cinema,” said IWC CMO Franziska Gsell.
Matt Ruskin started his career as a production assistant on Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream”. Now, he shows his amazing skills as the writer and director of his own film project “Untitled Colin Warner Project”. He left a profound impression on jury members Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, Anna Ponder, Executive Director of Tribeca Film Institute®, Paula Weinstein, Executive Vice President of the Tribeca Film Festival, and last year’s award winner, Deb Shoval, who is premiering her film “AWOL” at this year’s festival (“AWOL” producer Laura Teodosio also participated in the deliberation).
The film tells the story of Colin Warner, who was wrongfully convicted of murder, and his best friend Carl King, who devotes his life to proving Colin’s innocence. “For me, this film was a standout from this year’s selection. Matt Ruskin clearly is emerging as a force to be reckoned with; his moving story showcases friendship and love, all while dealing with a criminal injustice,” said Georges Kern, explaining the motivation behind the jury’s choice.
—Michael Strahan, Joel McHale
A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FUTURE OF FILM
The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer founded its IWC Filmmaker Award several years ago to support up-and-coming filmmakers on their path of innovation and creation. IWC presents the award as part of its commitment to the film festivals of Beijing, Zurich, London and Dubai, and now for the fourth time in its role as Official “Festival-Time” Partner of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute, which supports both new and established filmmakers with grants and professional development, invited filmmakers to submit their rough cuts and scene selects for consideration for the IWC Filmmaker Award.
Those whose innovative artistic approach impressed the jury made it to the shortlist. Deb Shoval, who won last year’s IWC Filmmaker Award for “AWOL”, had this to say: “Winning the IWC Filmmaker Award has helped me continue finishing my film and allowed me to spend more time developing my film that will premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. It is a privilege to have the ability to create new content without having to limit myself, as a result of this generous award.”
Further Information
IWC North America
Jamie Williams
Senior Manager Public Relations
Tel. +1 212 891 2353
E-mail jamie.williams@iwc.com
Tribeca Film Festival
Tammie Rosen
SVP of Communications
Tel. +1 212 941 2003
E-mail
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