The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has elected Aida Takla O'Reilly as its new president, the association announced Thursday.
O'Reilly, born in Egypt, has been a member of the organization since 1956. Outgoing president Phil Berk, who was the subject of great controversy this year, was elected chairman of the board of directors.
The new president is believed to be 80. An HFPA spokesman declined to confirm the information.
O'Reilly won by one vote, according to an individual familiar with the tally. The other candidate, Lorenzo Soria, a journalist from Italy, is considered an agent of change, but lost. O'Reilly was president from 1994-1996.
The organization has a mere 85 members, but controls the influential and lucrative Golden Globe awards.
O'Reilly appeared in the 2010 movie "Somewhere." She played a member of a crowd of journalists whom the Sofia Coppola character yelled at. She's credited as Aida Takla.
The organization has faced legal trouble this year. In January, its former publicist sued for $2 million, accusing the group of fraud and selling access to the awards as well as being open to studio influence through perks and gifts.
And in March, a federal judge ruled that the HFPA's lawsuit against Dick Clark Productions, the long-time producer of the Golden Globes telecast, can proceed. The organization accuses DCP of negotiating a new contract with NBC without first consulting HFPA leadership.
Here's the release:
HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION ELECTS DR. AIDA TAKLA O’REILLY AS NEW PRESIDENT
Election Marks Doctor O'Reilly’s 2nd Term in Office
HOLLYWOOD, CA, June 9, 2011 – Dr. Aida Takla O'Reilly was elected President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for the 2011 – 2012 year at the organization’s annual election meeting, which was held June 7, 2011.
"I am thrilled and honored to serve as the HFPA's president once again," said Dr. O'Reilly. "I believe in the vitality of the membership and what we have to contribute to the future of the industry both here and abroad. Now let's get to work!"
Dr. O’Reilly was born and raised in Egypt, where she was the youngest woman to become a pilot at the age of 16. A member of the HFPA since 1956, she represents Dubai and was previously the organization’s president from 1994-1996. Dr. O'Reilly received her doctorate in Comparative Literature from The Sorbonne-Paris University in 1969.
Jorge Camara, Serge Rakhlin, and Ali Sar were also elected vice president, executive secretary, and treasurer, respectively. The new Board of Directors is comprised of Philip Berk (Chairman), Yoram Kahana, Yukiko Nakajima, Ruben Nepales, Meher Tatna and Theo Kingma (alternate).
The annual HFPA Installation Luncheon to honor the officers and directors will be held later this summer, at which time the organization makes its annual donations to non-profit organizations and film schools. Last year's star-studded luncheon presented a record $1,541,000 in financial grants to 41 film schools and non-profit organizations. Guests included Annette Bening, Ian Brennan, Bryan Cranston, Kaley Cuoco, Matthew Fox, Carla Gugino, Nicole Kidman, Eva Longoria, Jane Lynch, Jim Parsons, Ryan Phillippe, John Slattery and Aaron Sorkin.
