HFPA Gives $1.6 Million To Arts Groups

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — The group behind the Golden Globes shared $1.6 million of its annual awards-show spoils with 40 nonprofit arts organizations Tuesday, but its cast of celebrity presenters had trouble getting the group’s message across.

Eva Longoria, Dermott Mulroney, Liam Hemsworth, Julie Delpy and Demian Bichir were a few of the actors who struggled with the teleprompter at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Longoria noted there were “a lot of typos” in the script, “so I want you to all know: Everybody up here who’s struggling, it’s not because they are not good at this.” She jokingly blamed the foreign press for the errors.

Presenter Jonah Hill, who accepted grants on behalf of the Levantine Cultural Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, said he learned a lot by participating in the ceremony.

“If anything has been made clear to me today, it’s definitely the fact that I don’t think a single actor in Hollywood can read,” Hill said.

When Justin Bateman took the stage, he quipped, “I think the rehearsal’s going great. Tonight’s going to be good, people.”

Olivia Wilde, who stood beside Bateman to accept a grant on behalf of a literacy organization, joked that the cast of luncheon presenters could use its help.

Other presenters included Nicole Kidman, Vince Vaughn, Diane Kruger, Blair Underwood, Colin Farrell, Amber Heard and Vin Diesel, who gave a heartfelt speech as he accepted a grant for the Sundance Institute. He made his directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, where he “felt a sense of validation I never felt before” and got inspiration he still relies on today.

“It’s the only reason why I have the luxury to stand before all of you,” he said. “Otherwise, I’d still be a bouncer in New York.”

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has shared its profits from the Golden Globe Awards with arts and cultural organizations for the past 19 years, totaling more than $18 million.

The 71st Golden Globe Awards will be held Jan. 12, 2014.