New North London Synagogue held its own Bafta party to raise funds towards its £4 million shul building.

Nearly 200 members and friends of the Masorti congregation enjoyed a conversation between writer, director and producer Sir Alan Parker and veteran film critic Barry Norman at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Piccadilly.

With credits as diverse as Midnight Express and Bugsy Malone, Sir Alan had a store of anecdotes to draw upon.

The interview was interspersed with clips from his movies and from his earlier career in advertising, where he created the classic series of Cinzano ads featuring Joan Collins and Leonard Rossiter.

Both participants donated their time, having been approached by NNLS member Michael Kuhn, who is also involved in the film world. Proceeds were swelled to £7,500 by a raffle drawn by journalist, broadcaster and NNLS congregant Joshua Rozenberg.

“We have had several highly successful functions over the years,” said organiser Leon Levy, “but this certainly ranks among the best and most original”.

Construction work on the shul building is expected to be completed by the end of the year.