LOS
ANGELES (February 24, 2012) – Oscar Wilde once said: “we
are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars;”
and there were a lot of stars to look at during the US-Ireland Alliance’s
seventh annual “Oscar Wilde: Honoring the Irish in Film.”
On Thursday night, February 23rd, JJ Abrams, A-list director and show
creator, opened the Santa Monica offices of his Production Company,
Bad Robot, to host what has been quoted by many as the annual launch
to Oscar Weekend. The night celebrated its seventh anniversary by
honoring three 2012 Academy Award nominees – John Logan, Melissa
McCarthy and Michelle Williams.
Besides the
change of venue to Bad Robot, a more intimate space than the previous
Wilshire Ebell venue, the Alliance team & partners managed to
maintain the same casual Irish-influenced elements that make the night
one of Hollywood's most cherished during Oscar Week. From the Irish-themed
appetizers to the Irish artists providing the musical entertainment
for the evening, it was a cultural celebration that would make any
Irishman proud.
With
past honorees including Jim Sheridan, Terry George, Van Morrison,
James L. Brooks, Fiona Shaw, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Brendan Gleeson,
Paul Rudd, & J.J. Abrams himself - the 2012 honorees were in good
company, along with over 300 guests in attendance from Steven Spielberg
& Kate Capshaw to Motion Picture Association Chairman Chris Dodd,
Colin Farrell, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and YouTube founder
Chad Hurley.
About
‘US-Ireland Alliance’
The US-Ireland Alliance is a 501c3 non-profit organization, focused
on strengthening ties between the US and the island of Ireland. Its
flagship initiative is the George J. Mitchell Scholarship program,
named in honor of the former Senator’s pivotal contribution
to the Northern Ireland peace process, which enables American post-graduates
to study at universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Its annual
“Oscar Wilde” Celebration was created to bring together
people in the entertainment industries of the US and Ireland.