Over $2.5 million (over AED 9 million) was raised at amfAR Venezia last night, a gala dinner and live auction which took place during the Venice International Film Festival. Internationally celebrated actor and director Antonio Banderas was presented with amfAR’s Global Impact Award.
Humanitarian, actor, producer and Golden Globe winner Richard Gere was presented with amfAR’s Award of Inspiration and film producer, businessman, and philanthropist Mohammed Al Turki was presented with amfAR’s Philanthropic Leadership Award. Kelly Rowland and Rumer Willis gave special performances. The evening was hosted by Kate Beckinsale.
amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost presented the first award of the evening to honoree Antonio Banderas. In accepting the Global Impact Award, Banderas spoke about the privilege of being able to use his public persona for good. In his presentation to Banderas, Frost spoke about how his performance in the 1993 film Philadelphia was an important moment for destigmatising HIV. “While the stigma that often prevents people from seeking treatment for HIV or preventive care persists, amfAR continues its work breaking down these old beliefs that seek to divide us,” said Frost.
Upon completion of the auction to benefit amfAR’s lifesaving AIDS research, Eva Longoria came back to the stage to introduce Richard Gere to accept amfAR’s Award of Inspiration. Gere, a tireless humanitarian who has supported amfAR and people living with HIV/AIDS for decades, made a heartfelt speech about his personal journey through the dark early days of the epidemic and the work that still needs to be done.
“There are tens of millions of people that need yet to be saved,” amfAR Award of Inspiration recipient Richard Gere said, issuing a passionate call on behalf of the estimated 23% of people living with HIV who do not currently have access to medication. “And resources from events like this and fundraising and great donors who have helped amfAR and other groups are really saviors for this planet. Not only for HIV/AIDS, other pandemics and other issues. Together we can solve any problem.”
Guests in attendance included Richard Gere, Alejandra Gere, Antonio Banderas, Mohammed Al Turki, Zac Efron, Eva Longoria , Swizz Beats, Kelly Rowland, Rumer Willis, Kate Beckinsale,, Edward Enninful, Stella Maxwell, Lucien Laviscount, Harry Goodwins, Zhang Ziyi, Rose Bertram, Andrei Gillott, Sofia Resing, Toni Garrn, Sean Koons, Simon de Pury, Caroline Scheufele, Edoardo Leo, Juliana Paes, Moran Atias, Julian Lennon, Lior Raz, Luna Bijl, Jon Kortajarena, Sergio Castellitto, Margaret Mazzantini, Maria Borges, Tarina Patel, Zarina Yeva, Barbara Meier, Niclas Castello,, Jessica Prenzel, Keni Silva, amfAR Trustees Tony Mancilla and Vin Roberti, amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, and more.
