After the huge success of the inaugural Tiff Gala in 2012, e=mc2 events was back in action with the contract to produce the 2nd Annual International Film Festival ~ 2nd Annual Board Gala – Celebrating 100 Years of Indian Cinema at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Tiffs mandate is the “transform the way people see the world through film” and for the 2013 Gala, The Celebration of 100 year of Indian Cinema was chosen as the theme to do just that. Working closely with TIFF board member and Academy Award Nominated Canadian Film Director, Deepa Mehta – (who recently was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada) known for her Elements Trilogy – Fire, Earth and Water, and most recently Midnight’s Children, the team at emc2 took guests through a truly authentic cultural journey through a century of cinematic treasures.
Guests were welcomed to with a black carpet stroll to the official TIFF step and repeat and were greeted by Sari clad hostesses who showered them with rose petals, adorned the ladies with bindis and the men with silk stoles. Once inside the guests were funneled through a gauntlet of tiered baby grand pianos, playing music selections from Indian films through the ages. A total of 8 pianos, adorned with beautiful women, gold urns and lush palms flanked the walkway which featured old-framed feature screen showing clips from 100 years of Indian Cinema at the top of the staircase.
Tables were simple and elegant in white linens, gold enhancements and a burst of red roses with overhead crystal chandeliers. The design was meant to replicate the old British colonial feel of India back in the 1950s. Three prominent Indian Cinema movie posters were projected proudly on the back stage wall and the focal point of the space, a featured projection wall and stage where the action would play out for the evening.
The dining experience for the evening was created by famed Chef, Vikram Vij of Vij’s in Vancouver. Pure Indian cuisine gave a very unique spin on a traditional gala dinner.
Hosted by accomplished actors Zaib Shaikh and Anita Majumdar the event engaged guests in a cinematic revival and entertaining history lesson of Indian Cinema. Performances includeda dynamic urban Bollywood “flash mob” dance number performed by a group of dancers aged from 6 to 12, Rekha Bhardwaj, renowned Indian singer from Mumbai and a true Bollywood Dance number. Co-host Anita ended the night by flying through the air and descending on the centre table in the room, while 20 Bollywood dancers came in to the audience and started the dance party where the DJ had the Bollywood dance mix up and ready to go.
It took the team at emc2 event management 4 months of planning , working with a costume designer in India to recreate all costumes from the selection of films, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to compile all movie selections (from the first silent film in 1913, to recent day), a celebrity chef and with high-end caterer, a full sponsorship program, a PR team to set up a Celebrity swag room, massive celebrity requirements – from security, to transportation and back door access, and finally a great team!