The Suite Life

This past Saturday, the 51st annual San Francisco International Film Festival held a very special award ceremony at the chic W Hotel San Francisco.

In an intimate setting, high above the energetic thump of a lively Saturday night in W’s Living Room lobby, the SFiFF late night event (it started at 10:30pm ) welcomed its select guests and the year’s award winners, Rose McGowan and Jason Lee. For its second year, the film-fest honored two young members of Hollywood, “who have made outstanding contributions to independent and Hollywood cinema and who bring striking intelligence, exemplary talent and extraordinary depth of character to their roles.”

I was lucky enough to be among the group sipping complimentary Grey Goose cocktails and munching on an assortment of passed hors d’ oeuvres as the honorees arrived. While the small room was scantily decorated, two large screens were erected alongside a small stage, and the festive atmosphere is certainly what made the night (well that, and the ever-cool W hotel interior design). While Jason Lee mingled with guests and obliged quite a few photographs (including one with yours truly), Rose stuck to her entourage and a roped off corner before taking the stage to accept their awards, engraved, silver Martini shakers.

A video played highlighting the work of each star, and after quick but warm acceptance speeches, the real party got going. For the next hour and a half the free drinks were poured and the music played while guests of all ages danced enthusiastically and chatted happily. The night was overall one of a rare but welcomed mix of star power, earnest excitement, and low-key atmosphere that marks the SFiFF’s accessibility and success.

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By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes