The Ross School played host to a sneak preview of the film "A Passion For Giving," on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Directed by Robin Baker Leacock, and edited by BFP Partner Jeff Oppenheim. On hand to introduce the film was Countess Luann de
Lesseps along with the "Real Housewives cohorts Kelly Killoren
Bensimon & Jill Zarin.

The film explores people's passion for giving through a series of interviews, art and musical interpretations with a diverse group - some famous high-profile philanthropists - and some who simply believe giving back, both locally and globally, as simply being a part of the human race.

Among those that Baker Leacock features in the film are Ross Bleckner and Bob Collacello, Board members of AIDS Community Research Initiative of America [ACRIA] (with Donna Karan);Henry Buhl (founder of the SoHo and Tribeca Partnerships), which enables New York City's homeless men and women to re-enter the workforce and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency; Missy Hargraves (Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons), which is dedicated to the rehabilitation of wild animals accidentally injured or impacted; Count Alexandre de Lesseps (founder of The Blue Orchid orphanage in Burma), Gael Greene (founder of City Meals on Wheels), Louise Stephaich (Albert Schweitzer Hospital - Haiti), John Sykes (on behalf of VH1's Save the Music), whose mission is to restore instrumental music education programs in schools, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC (founder of The Felix Organization), whose goals are to provide opportunities and new experiences that will enrich the lives of children who are growing up without parents; as well as commentary from Dan Aykroyd, Richard Branson, and representatives from the UN Millennium Project and Habitat for Humanity.

An established filmmaker, Baker Leacock has previously directed "It Girls," (a one hour documentary broadcast on WE network), as well as "I'll Take Manhattan," which was selected for the Montreal, Berlin and Hamptons International Film Festivals. Additionally, Baker Leacock has contributed to segments on cable television featuring East Enders April Gornik, Donald Sultan, Ralph Gibson, Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan.

"A Passion For Giving" was mostly shot by Emmy award-winning director and cinematographer Robert Leacock, who is well known for his work on Madonna's “Truth or Dare," Al Pacino's "Looking for Richard," and directing Christy Turlington's "Catwalk." A second generation documentary film director, Leacock is the son of legendary filmmaker Richard Leacock - a pioneer of Cinema Verite.

"A Passion For Giving" will be airing PBS in the New York area some time in November, and is currently being considered for wider PBS release.