The New Orleans Film Festival Patron party was a smashing success and an entertaining kick-off to the New Orleans Film Festival, an annual event that showcases local, regional, national and international films.
The patron party featured decadent cuisine prepared by the John Besh Restaurant Group (the chef is famous for his local establishments Restaurant August, Lüke, The Besh Steak House at Harrah’s and La Provence), along with jazz entertainment featuring the Sasha Masakowski Jazz Trio.
Guests also applauded Stephanie Samuel Durant, who received the New Orleans Film Society’s Celluloid Hero Award, to honor her outstanding service to the art of motion pictures.
Taking place at the home of Pam and Duke Dongieux, the party also served as a fundraiser for the Film Society, which hosts events throughout the year including the Italian Film Festival, the French Film Festival, the New Orleans International Children’s Film Festival and other events that promote local film and video audiences, artists and professionals.
Olivier Dahan, Raelynn Loop and Nomita Gupta
Ellen Johnson and Ronnie Swartz
Anne Gisleson and Ali Duffy