When the Hamptons International Film Festival rolls into town, it brings more than just screenings — it sparks a social whirlwind that blends cinema with couture, fine wine, and charitable causes. This year’s season finale came in the form of an autumn reception that united those worlds under one historic roof.
Antonella Bertello, owner of The Baker House 1650, and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff welcomed guests to a fall gathering celebrating the Hamptons International Film Festival at the boutique hotel in East Hampton. The event drew together film, fashion, fine art and philanthropy, offering a stylish conclusion to the East End’s social calendar as filmmakers, artists and cinema lovers converged on the Hamptons for one of the region’s most highly anticipated cultural happenings.
Set within the refined atmosphere of The Baker House, the reception assembled friends, philanthropists, artists and members of the Hamptons social circle for an evening of dialogue and festivity. Attendees got a first taste of wines from Mas des Infermières, the French vineyard owned by celebrated filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott and his family. The evening also shone a light on the upcoming Old Bags Luncheon benefiting the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, alongside the artistic works of Ashley Medici.
As the Hamptons Film Festival delivered a surge of creative energy to the East End, the reception showcased the meeting point of artistic expression and social purpose. The featured wines from Mas des Infermières, a Provençal estate under the Scott family’s ownership, reflect the director’s love of storytelling and visual craft combined with the heritage of French winemaking.
For Shafiroff, the gathering served as a platform to spotlight the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County and its signature Old Bags Luncheon. This annual charity event rallies supporters to raise funds for programs assisting children, families and individuals in need throughout Palm Beach County. Known for its unique pairing of designer handbags, giving back and social engagement, the luncheon has become a staple of the Palm Beach philanthropic circuit. The 2027 Old Bags Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17th, 2027, with Jean Shafiroff, Lora Drasner and Marzia Precoda serving as co-chairs.
The celebration also turned attention to Ashley Medici, whose photography and artwork lent a creative flair to the proceedings.
Among the notable attendees were Jean Shafiroff, Antonella Bertello, Ashley Medici, Björgvin, Maria van Vlodrop, James McCartney, Meghan McCartney, Frederico Azevedo, Sarah Kautz, Caroline Rhoad, David McMaster, Donna Rubin, Joni Fischer, Christopher Fischer, Frank Cilione and Katrina Peebles.
About Antonella Bertello
Antonella Bertello is the proprietor of The Baker House 1650, an award-winning boutique hotel and bed-and-breakfast in East Hampton, NY, and a seasoned real estate entrepreneur. As a licensed real estate agent with the Corcoran Group, she belongs to Corcoran’s Multi-Million Dollar Club and President’s Council, operating across the New York City, Hamptons and Miami markets. Originally from Lima, Peru, Bertello earned a degree in economics, management and finance from Babson College and speaks fluent English and Spanish, with conversational French and Italian. Her career has encompassed design, construction and interiors for award-winning projects in East Hampton, South Florida and Latin America.
Her newest family endeavor is Marina Coast Peru, a forthcoming residential and recreational boating destination planned as the first world-class superyacht marina and residential development on the South Pacific Coast. Situated in northern Peru, the project is slated to open in the first quarter of 2027 and is expected to feature luxury accommodations, an inland marina for superyachts, a yacht club and a retail Marina Village. Bertello is also active in philanthropy and community affairs, regularly hosting and supporting events at The Baker House 1650 for causes related to Peru, cancer research, the arts, Guild Hall, the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF). She serves as a Hamptons ambassador for Mission Huascarán, a Peruvian nonprofit supporting rural communities through its Knitting Hope program, and sits on the boards of the East Hampton Village Foundation and the Greater East Hampton Chamber of Commerce.
About The Baker House 1650:
Located in the picturesque, historic Village of East Hampton, NY, The Baker House 1650 stands as a masterwork of 17th Century Cotswold-inspired architecture. Guests encounter a sense of historical legacy and majestic ambiance throughout the property, drawn from the classic English manor style. The property balances old-world charm with modern comforts and amenities.
For more information, please visit www.bakerhouse1650.com
IG: @bakerhouse1650 | FB: thebakerhouse1650 | X / T: @thebakerhouse
Norah Lawlor
Lawlor Media Group, Inc.
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Why it matters: This reception highlights how cultural events like the Hamptons Film Festival increasingly double as platforms for philanthropy, with figures like Bertello and Shafiroff leveraging their social networks to boost causes from Palm Beach County charities to Peruvian community programs. The blend of celebrity-backed wine, high-profile guests and charitable fundraising signals a growing trend where entertainment and social impact go hand in hand.
