Celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of pre-BAFTA festivity
20 February 2009
The first pre-BAFTA party Charles Finch hosted was in fact a post-BAFTA party, ten years ago when Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth dominated the awards ceremony. It was held upstairs at Lola’s bistro in Islington, the one and only year BAFTA held the ceremony across the road at the Business Design Centre.
At that time nobody was doing anything around the British awards night and Charles, with his LA grooming, figured that people would want somewhere to go afterwards and he was right. Through the door that very first year came pretty much everybody who was nominated, including Cate Blanchett who won for Best Actress, and many more. It was an exciting crush of the “who’s who” set against a glamorous yet laidback vibe that nobody has been able to imitate since, though a few have tried.
Over the years venues have varied and the guest list has grown. This year saw the 10th Anniversary at Annabel’s topped off with a huge cake and a sweet speech from Amanda Berry of BAFTA acknowledging how the event has become synonymous with BAFTA, and for a good while positioned as the party to go to the night before the awards.
Kiehls was the first official sponsor, with Jimmy Choo taking the reigns the following year, where to our alarm shoes were placed on the tables (a bad luck omen for some people). Only one left or right-hand shoe was placed per table and the scramble at the end of that evening by some of the female guests to match up pairs was an amusing sight to say the least.
Mark’s Club and Annabel’s have since played most recent hosts, with Chanel as sponsor for the last four parties, donating beautiful gift bags thrilling all as they leave the party. Charles likes his traditions and for the last nine years guests have been greeted with a five strong mariachi band, cocktails and laughter.
The room is always brimming with the great and good of the film, fashion, music and media worlds. Legends such as Robert Altman have shared tables with Baz Luhrmann, while Kylie, Benicio Del Toro, Lily Allen, Thandie Newton, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman have all lit the party with their star-like presence. This year was no different with Mickey Rourke, Sharon Stone and Penélope Cruz joining the mix. New arrivals to the scene and old timers come every year knowing the party will never be dull while Charles is its most gracious host.
