Oscar Party Draws 230 People to BMFI

With Oscar-shaped lanterns and guests dressed in red carpet attire, the glittered like Hollywood on Sunday night as it hosted its fourth annual Oscar Party.

About 230 people—including guests, volunteers and staff—attended the event, which featured a silent auction and dinner, followed by a simulcast of the 84th Academy Awards on one of the institute’s theater screens.

Large paper lanterns shaped like Oscar statues stood at attention along the glass walls of the atrium. 

In the middle of the room, men and women dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns milled around a long table, bidding on silent auction items.

The items included a “Brokeback Mountain” movie poster autographed by best director Academy winner Ang Lee; three personal training sessions at of Bryn Mawr; a private tour of Harrisburg with state ; and gift certificates to local spas, salons, a photo school, and for teeth whitening.

There were also theme baskets, such as the “.” 

The basket featured darci by Di Caprio Cosmetics, the makeup which Malvern boutique Kiss & Makeup provided for the actual Oscar gift bags. Kiss and Makeup is the parent company of darci by Di Caprio Cosmetics, according to the company’s website.

The auction items were donated by area businesses and individual donors, said Devin Wachs, public relations manager for the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI).

Sporting a tux, Glenn Unterberger of Bala Cynwyd perused the auction table, as live violin music played in the background.

“We have a good time here,” Unterberger said. “We’ve been here a couple of years. You get to dress up. You get to laugh with everybody when the red carpet comes out. It’s a good social time.”

Guests were asked to dress in either red-carpet attire or in a costume from one of the Oscar-nominated films, Wachs said.

In honor of the Academy Award best picture winner “The Artist,” Gladys Saldana of Wynnewood wore a lacey, 1940s dress and a headpiece, and a long string of pearls.

“I love it,” Saldana said of the silent film.

In a nod to Oscar best picture nominee “Midnight in Paris,” the BMFI sold raffle tickets at $100 per chance for “Five Midnights in Paris,” a raffle to win a five-night stay for two at a Paris apartment.

Oscar Party guests also enjoyed a dinner buffet of French food by JPM Catering, with beer pairings from the Victory Brewing Company, upstairs in the multi-media room.

“Starring” on the buffet (as the menu put it) were chicken provencal, beef bourguignon, butternut squash tortellini with rosemary oil; artichoke, leek and potato gratin; hearts of romaine salad with apple; and a French baguette with whipped brie butter.

Dinner was accompanied by live guitar music played by Paige Allbritton and Mike Malloy.

“The food is great,” said Judith Jackson of Newtown Square.

“You can really appreciate how much effort goes into this,” said her husband, Moss Jackson.

After dinner, some guests stopped at the concession stand for complimentary popcorn and beer. Then everyone headed into the theater to watch the Oscars.

For the first time this year, BMFI had a corporate sponsor for its Oscar Party, Delaware Valley Audi Dealers, Wachs said.

All proceeds from the Oscar Party benefit the BMFI, which will probably put the proceeds toward its , Wachs said. BMFI currently has two screens.

sold for $60 for BMFI members and $70 for non-members.