The luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen hosted the 3^rd annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala to kick off the Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios. Entertainment for the evening was led by comedian Joel McHale, known for his hit show “The Soup” on E!, and “Community.” IWC CEO Georges Kern co-hosted the evening with Tribeca Film Festival founders Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, and Craig Hatkoff.

Additional influential attendees included Dakota Fanning, guest of honor Christoph Waltz, Michael Cera, Alison Brie, Jennifer Morrison, director Paul Haggis, Michael Rapaport, newly engaged couple Allison Pill and Joshua Leonard, Christine Lahti, Rachel Harris and Princess Eugenie.   Also in attendance were  Gloria Steinem, Kelly Brook, professional soccer player Raul Gonzalez Blanco, and models Grace Mahary, Aymeline Valade, Alexandra Agoston, Elyse Taylor.

Comedian Joel McHale hosts the IWC Schaffhausen Third Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala during the Tribeca Film Festival

Following a hilarious monologue from McHale, guests were treated to the presentation of the IWC Filmmaker Award, which went to this year’s honoree Deb Shoval.

Jay Dockendorf, Georges Kern, Dev Shoval, Christoph Waltz, Ryan Harrington, and Joel McHale pose on stage at the IWC Schaffhausen Third Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala

Her film project “AWOL” left a profound impression on jury members Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, Ryan Harrington, Vice President of Artist Programs at Tribeca Film Institute, Paula Weinstein, Executive Vice President of the Tribeca Film Festival, and last year’s award winner, Jay Dockendorf. It tells the story of Joey, 18, who falls in love with Rayna, 27, a married mother of two. Threatened by Rayna’s husband and fired from her job at the local dairy, Joey must make some choices about her future in a postindustrial area with little to offer, and she reluctantly joins the Army. Days before deployment to Afghanistan and still wildly in love, Joey re­turns home to rural Pennsylvania and plans to go AWOL with Rayna and her kids.

Christoph Waltz

Christoph Waltz presented the award noting it took him almost 120 films to win an Oscar but Shoval won this award on her very first feature film – quite a feat!

Sarah McLachlan performs on stage at the IWC Schaffhausen Third Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala

To close out the event guests were treated to an exclusive performance by famed singer Sarah McLachlan who wowed the crowd with her amazing vocals, leading to a standing ovation. 

Dakota Fanning attend the IWC Schaffhausen Third Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala during the Tribeca Film Festival

Christine Lahti

Christoph Waltz and Robert DeNiro at the IWC Schaffhausen Third Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala

HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo, and model Olive, attend the IWC Schaffhausen Third Annual “For the Love of Cinema” Gala during the Tribeca Film Festival

Actress Alison Brie