MPTF bash nets big broadcasters

Evening Before party set for Sept. 20

After raising $2 million last year, the Motion Picture & Television Fund has skedded the second annual Evening Before party in Century City on Sept. 20, the night before the Emmy Awards.

This year, top execs from all major networks have signed on to the event's executive host committee.

"We have the top guns from just about every television network and are so excited they all chose to support MPTF on the eve of TV's big day," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation and chairman of Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation board.

"The Evening Before will bring together the television industry for a night dedicated to raising much-needed funds to help MPTF continue its mission of 'taking care of our own,'" he said.

The party will once again take place in the park area between Avenue of the Stars and Century Park East, adjacent to the Craft restaurant on Constellation Boulevard.

More than 800 guests are expected at the laidback affair where they can dine on food by celebrity chef Todd English and relax in the party's living room-style design by Silver Birches.

"This year's Evening Before promises to be the biggest television industry event to date in MPTF history," said Ken Scherer, prexy-CEO of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation. "This event has helped raise awareness among all those in the television community that MPTF is there to help those in need, as was witnessed this year during the WGA work stoppage."

Major sponsors for the Evening Before include Variety, Target, Sprint and People magazine.

The 86-year-old MPTF, based in Woodland Hills, offers charitable relief for those in the film and TV industries.