Milla Jovovich, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sophie Dahl, Gong Li, Julie Delpy, Julie Taymor, Lady Helen Taylor, Lauren Bush, Rhea Durham, and Elizabeth Berkeley were among those who came out to support the fight against AIDS at amfAR's annual Cinema Against AIDS benefit during the International Venice Film Festival. Held at the Arsenale, the event was hosted by Milla Jovovich, and sponsored by Bvlgari. It raised over $500,000 for the lifesaving work of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR).

After making a heartfelt speech about the continued spread of HIV/AIDS, which has killed over 22 million men, women, and children worldwide, Milla Jovovich conducted a live auction and encouraged guests to open their wallets in support of amfAR's work. Her efforts paid off, with a pair of tickets to Vanity Fair's annual Oscars® party selling for $20,000 and a Bvlgari necklace going to Angela Missoni for $16,000. The silent auction raised $37,000.

A highlight of the evening was Dame Shirley Bassey's performance of the classic favourites "Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever," and "Hey Jude." Guests were so moved by her performance that they chanted her name until she came back onstage to deliver a powerful rendition of "I Am What I Am" from La Cage Aux Folles....

..amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS galas, which have taken place during the Cannes, Sundance, and Venice Film Festivals to date, have been important and successful fund-raising events for the Foundation since 1993, generating over $12 million for essential AIDS research. Past events have been hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John. Like the epidemic itself, AIDS research knows no borders, and amfAR's programs have a global reach. Today, the Foundation is focused on utilizing its scientific, social science, and public policy expertise to assist in maximizing local resources and transferring proven prevention strategies and public health interventions from developed to developing countries.

The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) is the nation's leading non-profit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research, AIDS prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $190 million in support for its programs and awarded grants to more than 1,900 research teams worldwide.

See Also: amfAR Event 2001

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