IWC’s Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala

Beginning the celebration, McHale joked with the crowd about fashion and film industry stereotypes through a monologue, and dinner was served shortly after. The much-anticipated IWC Filmmaker Award, awarded this year to Deb Shoval for her film project AWOL, was presented, as jury members of the IWC Filmmaker Award board Kern, Ryan Harrington (VP of Artist Programs at TFF), Paula Weinstein (Executive VP of TFF), and Jay Dockendorf (last year’s winner) expressed their admiration for Shoval’s touching film.

AWOL tells the story of 18-year-old Joey who falls for Rayna, a 27-year-old married mother of two. The award was presented by actor Christoph Waltz who noted that it took him almost 120 films to win an Oscar, and that Shoval impressed most by winning this award on her very first feature film.

Sarah McLachlan sang her most recognized song, “I Will Remember You,” which led to a standing ovation, as she passed the music torch to DJ Mick for the duration of the night.

Guests along the likes of Rachel Harris, Dakota Fanning, Allison Pill, Jennifer Morrison, Alison Brie, Leandra Medine, Princess Eugine, Dao-yi Chow, Maxwell Osborne, Gloria Steinem, Grace Mahary, and Raul Gonzalez Blanco enjoyed their fun-filled evening among the crowd on the dance floor, and toasted to TFF success with a glass of Moët champagne.