CTBF auctions off Record valued Media Package at Box Set Themed Ball hosted by TV personality Christopher Biggins

The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), the leading UK charity for people working behind the scenes in film, cinema and commercial television, celebrated its annual London Party last night, recording it’s highest-ever media auction package valued at £644,802, and attracting 350 industry guests to London’s Gibson Hall. The keynote address was this year delivered by scriptwriter and producer, Julie Daly-Wallman, with the evening’s festivities hosted by entertainer and TV personality, Christopher Biggins (Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie).

Taking-over the grounds of the City’s Gibson Hall as popular characters from the screen, over 400 industry guests turned out to the flagship event, embracing the theme with a multitude of box-set inspired outfits. Auctioning off TV and Film memorabilia as well as overnight breaks and experiences, this year’s event celebrated a record-breaking £644,802 media package donated by partners Exterion Media, Telegraph Media Group, IMDb, Time Inc., ESI Media, AOL, Digital Cinema Media, Shortlist Media, Bauer Media, IGN, Screen International and The Film Co-operative & Onscreen Magazine. Christopher Biggins was on hand to judge the hotly-contested award categories including: ‘Best Dressed Male’, ‘Best Dressed Female’, and ‘Best Dressed Table’, and auction off the goods, raising vital funds for the industry charity.

The evening saw Julie Daly-Wallman speak movingly of the help she received from the charity, having been suffering from illness and grievances in her family. Since receiving support, she has been able to rebuild, with her burgeoning talent recognized by the industry in the form of upcoming feature film LONG LIVE THE KING, in co-production with Future Films’ Stephen Margolis. Her experiences highlight the vital work of the charity as it continues to support professionals from script to screen who are experiencing hardship.

Acting CEO of The CTBF, Peter Meunier said "The worlds of TV & Film truly went head to head last night in the battle of the box-sets, in an outstanding show of support for our thriving industry. The generosity of the guests and our partners was overwhelming, making it a record-breaking year for us, and  it was a once again incredible to spend an evening in the company of those who do so much to ensure we can continue to support talents like Julie.”

Guests included representatives from 20th Century Fox, AOL, Bauer Media, Concorde Media, Creative Partnership, Creo UK, DDA, Digital Cinema Media, eOne, Evening Standard, Everyman, Exterion Media, Filmbank, IMDb, Lionsgate Films,  Pace Prestige Services,  Paramount,  Pearl & Dean, PPC, RealD, SKY, Sony, Substance, Telegraph, Time Inc., TSS Security, VUE, Walt Disney, Warner Bros. and Way To Blue.

A full list of winners can be found below:

Best Dressed Female
3rd – Pam, Filmbank

2nd – Lauren, Everyman

1st – Krissie, AOL

Best Dressed Male
3rd – Chris, Everyman

2nd – Jerry, Wonderland

1st – Dan, PPC

Best Homemade Costume
Winner – John Measure, PPC

Best Chap In A Frock
Winner – Eddie, Vue Cinemas

Top Tweet Award
Winner – Anna, DCM

Best Dressed Table
3rd – Warner Bros.  – Attenborough Nature

2nd – PPC – The Walking Dead

1st –  SONY Pictures – Ghostbusters

Visit the CTBF for more information or to donate.

About the CTBF
The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) is the charity for people working behind the scenes in the UK cinema, commercial television and film industries. They provide care and financial support to industry employees and their families who suffer from hardship due to bereavement, illness, redundancy or other misfortunes.