Over on the West Coast the buzz is building as we kickstart the new year with an amazing star-studded benefit event, Hollywood Domino! Since 2008, Hollywood celebrities and influencers have gathered for an exclusive pre-Oscar game of dominoes taking a break from the glitz and glam for a great cause. 100% of the funds raised at this black-tie gala will be directed to Artists for Peace and Justice as we start another groundbreaking year full of growth and progress in Haiti. Join Bovet Fleurier, Maria Bello, Gerard Butler, Jon Hamm, Kevin Jonas, Omar Epps, James Marsden, Jared Leto, Olivia Wilde and so many more as they play to spread awareness and give hope to Haiti!

“By working with Artists for Peace and Justice, I’ve seen the remarkable impact this organization has on the children living in Haiti’s slums. With its mission to provide free education to these young girls and boys, Artists for Peace and Justice has given me an opportunity to make a difference as a neighbor. I’m so proud and excited that our Hollywood Domino event will benefit such a noble cause,” says Daya Fernandez, Founder of Hollywood Domino.

On Thursday February 27th, the 7th annual Hollywood Domino Event presented by Bovet 1822 will take place before the year’s biggest awards show at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angeles with HudsonMOD as the exclusive media sponsor.

“From its conception, HudsonMOD has always strived to combine the realm of the luxury lifestyle and all that it embodies with charitable causes. Having been invited to sponsor Hollywood Domino has been an absolute honor and we look forward to raising even more awareness and funds for Artists for Peace and Justice throughout this celebratory evening,” says Shannon Steitz, President/Publisher of HudsonMOD.

N8+ Jazz Band will be performing standards from the Old Hollywood era.

All proceeds go to Artists for Peace and Justice, get your insider access ticket to Hollywood’s hottest pre-Oscar event HERE 

Last weekend, the New York Times published the Op-ed  “Haiti, Unfinished and Forsaken.”

“Four years after the earthquake, Haiti is a fragile, largely forgotten country. It’s possible that some natural or man-made crisis this year could push it back into the headlines. But sustained attention, with the kind of support from outside that Haiti still needs to rebuild and become more self-sufficient, is mostly gone.”

Here at Artists for Peace and Justice, we’re thrilled to be an organization that’s the exception to the rule. APJ isn’t a trend; it’s a commitment. In fact, an APJ Advisory Board delegation is travelling to Port-au-Prince this week to visit our programs and observe on-the-ground progress of how their substantial, long-term investment is generating sustainable results in the lives of our students and their communities. APJ is in Haiti for the long-haul.

The United Nations just released their new Haiti Humanitarian Action Plan for 2014, calling attention to Haiti’s most critically at-risk  populations who are affected by food insecurity, displacement, malnourishment, and infectious water borne diseases such as Cholera.

According to the UN’s reports, the number of humanitarian partners in Haiti has fallen to a fifth of its 2010 presence as funds dry up and cameras move on. At APJ, we believe access to quality secondary education and modern technical expertise will change a nation not for just for one generation, but forever . Our work is far from finished! Based on our track record and with your continued support, the Academy for Peace and Justice will service 3,000 underprivileged students at full capacity in 2016. Join us and help make 2014 the year to reenergize our efforts and exceed our expectations.

Let’s continue to grow!

Join us February 20th for a night celebrating new Haitian cinema benefiting 

CINÉ INSTITUTE — HAITI’S ONLY FILM SCHOOL

The night will take a celebratory look at Haiti’s new cinema movement known as Jollywood, named after the town of Jacmel where the nation’s only film school is based. Founder of Ciné Institute, DAVID BELLE, will be joined by Fashion Designer DONNA KARAN,  Grammy-Winning indie rock band ARCADE FIRE, Actor MICHAEL KENNETH WILLIAMS, Actor JAMIE HECTOR,  and ARCADE FIRE music video Director VINCENT MORISSET to present and discuss recent Institute films. Be a part of this riveting conversation and discover the work of Haiti’s rising young filmmakers while helping to support their future.

7PM Screening of Ciné Institute films

8PM Discussion with Fashion Designer Donna Karan, Actor Michael Kenneth Williams, Actor Jamie Hector, Arcade Fire Music Video Director Vincent Morisset and founder David Belle

8:30 PM VIP Cocktail Reception at the Tinker Auditorium catered by New York City Notable Chef “Elle Philippe”

Due to the generosity of supporters like you, Ciné Institute students receive a two year college education free of charge. 100% of event proceeds benefit student scholarships. Thank you for continuing to help us to provide these vital and life-changing dignified opportunities for Haiti’s talented youth.

Tickets are going fast! Purchase yours today via L’alliance Francaise (FIAF)

Before the event, check out what Ciné Institute graduates have been up to by watching Arcade Fire’s JUST A REFLEKTOR music video. The video is an interactive short film that explores the themes in Arcade Fire’s “Reflektor” album through two devices simultaneously: the computer and smartphone/tablet. Directed by Vincent Morisset and filmed in Jacmel, Haiti with the help of Ciné Institute graduates, “JUST A REFLEKTOR” not only enabled Arcade Fire to produce an amazing and unique music video for their fans around the world, but also demonstrated their extraordinary commitment to Ciné’s mission and the development of Haiti’s film industry.  The story follows a young woman who travels between her world and our own.

Check out more of Ciné Institute’s work HERE

Download Cine Institute 2011 annual report HERE