The Actors’ Fund of Canada is teaming up this year with the American Actors’ Fund to raise money for those in the film and TV industry in need.

For the first time, the two organizations are collaborating on the International Charity Challenge, an annual initiative that encourages industry professionals to initiate fund-raising activities on set.

Examples of fund-raising activities include prop and script auctions, autograph sessions, or wrap parties. There is no official end date to the challenge, a spokesperson for the organization confirms, and the Actors’ Fund encourages fund-raising activities year-round.

The collaboration makes sense due to the high number of American shoots taking place in Canada, Maria Topalovich, president, Actors’ Fund of Canada, said in a statement.

“With so many American productions shooting in Canada there is a fantastic opportunity for our two organizations to work together in order to help everybody working in the entertainment industry, on both sides of the border,” she said.

Funds raised in the collaborative effort will be split evenly between the two organizations. Last week, ACTRA announced a $15,000 contribution to the fund.

The initiative was officially launched in Los Angeles earlier in the month at an event hosted by the Canadian Consul General. (Pictured at the event, David Hope and actress Pamela Sinha.)

The Actors’ Fund is a charitable organization that provides support to those working behind the scenes in film and television, performing arts and entertainment, offering social services, emergency aid, health care and insurance, housing and employment and training services to industry professionals who require assistance.

US and Canadian Actors Funds Launch

International Film and TV Charity Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2011

LOS ANGELES…. On October 5 the Canadian and American Actors Funds celebrated the launch of the International Charity Challenge, a collaboration between the two organizations.  Hosted by Canadian Consul General in Los Angeles, David Fransen and Mrs. Barbara Fransen at their official residence, the event brought together stars and industry leaders for an unforgettable evening.

As guests enjoyed refreshments in the outdoor gardens, actor Patrick Gallagher spoke about his experiences raising money for the Actors’ Fund on the set of Endgame, encouraging everybody to participate in this new initiative.  “We’re pleased to partner with the American Actors Fund”, said Actors’ Fund of Canada President, Maria Topalovich.  “With so many American productions shooting in Canada there is a fantastic opportunity for our two organizations to work together in order to help everybody working in the entertainment industry, on both sides of the border.” Joseph P. Benincasa, President and CEO of The Actors Fund, added:  “It makes sense that we join our efforts in raising not only additional funds, but also awareness. We want to ensure that both the Canadian and American entertainment communities know we’re there for them in times of need.”

The International Film & TV Charity Challenge is an opportunity for everyone working on film and television productions in Canada to support the important human services of both the Canadian and American Funds. American productions shooting in Canada can take part in the Charity Challenge, raising money on set through innovative fundraising activities such as prop and script auctions, autograph sessions with fans, wrap parties and more. The money raised will be split equally between the Actors’ Fund of Canada and The Actors Fund, benefiting everybody working in the entertainment industry.

Many thanks are due to the Actors’ Fund LA Event Organizing Committee: Ellen Dubin, Patrick Gallagher, Barbara Eve Harris, Actors’ Fund of Canada Board Member Donald Mowat and Tonya Lee Williams and to Director of The Actors Fund Western Region Keith McNutt, Chief Advancement Officer Tom Exton and Western Division Manager of Special Events & Membership Meg Thomas for their work in organizing the event.  Thanks are also due to the sponsors who made the evening happen: Entertainment Partners Canada, IATSE Local 891, IATSE International and PS Production Services, as well as to Cover FX for providing personalized gift bags to each guest and to The Actors Fund  for providing commemorative books on the history of The Actors Fund.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those working behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online.  Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services.  With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for nearly 130 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition.

The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity that provides short-term financial aid to entertainment industry professionals working in film & TV, theatre, music and dance. The Actors’ Fund is not just for actors: performers, creators, technical staff and other production team members can apply for help from the Fund which delivered over $1 million in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses to clients in the last 24 months and has helped over 11,000 entertainment industry members since it was founded in 1958.