Last night at the Asia Society in New York, a packed auditorium attended the ceremony that presents this prestigious grant. There are many awards and grants ceremonies in our industry, and all aim to celebrate and highlight the work of talented women and men, however, there is something rather special about this ceremony.
Smith was both purist and perfectionist, and did not suffer fools or pomp gladly, and I think he would have approved of the event last night that bears his name. It was appropriate, relevant and straight to the point. With a welcomed absence of out of place ‘razzamatazz’ or ‘bling’, we were served a series of presentations from former winners and finalists including a dark and disturbing multi media film by former winner Stephen DuPont entitled, Generation AK’ that documents the struggle of the Afghan people.
