ADL Birmingham Michigan, Zack Braff, Mike Binder, Selma Blair

Other Prior Events

Lights, Camera... ADL Takes Action

On Wednesday, October 14th, the Anti-Defamation League hosted a fundraising event at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, MI to celebrate the accomplishments of Michigan filmmakers. The community gathered together to support ADL, a Jewish organization dedicated to fighting hatred, bigotry, and anti-Semitism. The elegant evening began with a cocktail party, followed by silent auction, dinner, and awards-presentation.

By Erin Black • Photography by Andrea Stinson

Honorees of the night were:

	Gary Gilbert with Zach Braff: Founder and President of Gilbert Films, Gary is highly regarded for producing and financing his first feature film, Garden State in 2004. After a world-wide distribution and much acclaim, Gilbert went on to produce Henry Poole is Here, directed by Mark Pellington and starring Luke Wilson. In Summer 2008, Gilbert returned to his homestate (Michigan, of course!) to produce Meet Monica Velour starring Kim Cattrall, Brian Dennehy, and Keith David. The film was shot entirely in Michigan and is slated for a 2010 release.
	Harry Winer with Jamie Ray Newman: Director, Producer, and founder of Smash Media, Inc., Harry Winer has contributed to the entertainment industry for over two decades. Winer directed feature films Space Camp and House Arrest, and has directed/produced over 20 films for television including Riot in the Streets, Lucky 7, Alias, Veronica Mars and Damaged Core. It’s no surprise that Winer, a Detroit native, has a full development slate of motion pictures, television movies, scripted dramatic series, and reality programs.
	Bob Brown with Michael Binder: Detroit native, Mike Binder is a screenwriter, director, and actor. Mike utilized all three talents in his 20-episode HBO series The Mind of a Married Man. Binder continued his trifecta, writing, directing, and playing lead roles in The Upside of Anger starring Joan Allen and Kevin Costner, Man About Town starring Ben Affleck, and Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler. Binder was also featured as an actor in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report with Tom Cruise and Rod Lurie’s The Contender with Joan Allen, Gary Oldman, and Jeff Bridges.
Bob Brown: A producer from Farmington Hills, Bob Brown founded Purple Rose Films in 1999 with actor Jeff Daniels and made Michigan-based comedies Escanaba in da Moonlight and SuperSucker. In 2003, Brown founded PRF Entertainment to provide consulting services to independent films. Additionally, he created Charity Island Pictures and has produced three more feature films including Bonneville starring Jessica Lange, Joan Allen, and Kathy Bates. Brown also played an intricate role in the passing of the 2008 film incentive legislation which initiated the state’s recent film industry boom.
	Harvey Grace with Betsy Kellman: Seasoned entrepreneur and private investor, Harvey Grace has contributed over 40 years of his professional career to the business of radio, television, programming and consulting. Grace has founded Teleco, Inc (1978) to improve television programming, Grace Broadcasting, Inc.(1983) to turn over eight radio stations across the U.S, and Grace & Wild, Inc (1984) to purchase an operations division of CBS/FOX Video. He now serves as Chairman and Director of Grace & Wild, Inc. located in Farmington Hills, MI.
	Selma Blair: Born in Southfield, MI and a University of Michigan graduate, Selma Blair is a celebrated and versatile actress. Blair starred in two seasons as contact: Jamie phone: 248.568.8604 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Strategic Marketing/Advertising Video Promotion Graphic & Set Design... visualimpactmarketing.com the title character of the WB’s Zoe. Blair’s break-out film placed her alongside Reese Whitherspoon and Ryan Phillippe in Cruel Intentions (1999). She teamed up again with Witherspoon in Legally Blonde (2001). Blair starred in The Sweetest Thing with Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate, and is also noted for her work in Hellboy (2002), Jack and Jane (1999), The Big Empty (2005), My Mom’s New Boyfriend (2008), Hellboy II (2008), and the TV series Kath and Kim (2008).
Also, attending the event were: Zach Braff: Actor Zach Braff emceed the event, presenting honorees with Oscar replicas. Famed for his humor and on-the-spot wit, he kept the audience laughing throughout the night. He attended the event in support of his good friend, Gary Gilbert, who produced Braff’s award winning Garden State. Braff currently stars in ABC’s Scrubs. Actor Jamie Ray Newman attended the event with her two grandmothers who are very active in ADL. Newman has appeared on multiple television shows including General Hospital, and currently stars in ABC’s Eastwick. Newman flew in from Los Angeles for the event and spent only twenty hours in Michigan.