.png)
Better World Fund: Art and Cinema for Humanity
The Better World Fund's "Gala for Humanity" Honors Egypt and Global Changemakers at the 83rd Venice Film Festival.
The Better World Fund once again took center stage during the 83rd Venice Film Festival with its "Gala for Humanity," held at the Procuratie in St. Mark's Square, Venice. Focused on cinema and art in the service of humanity - championing women's rights, gender equality, and education - the event brought together influential figures from the worlds of cinema, philanthropy, diplomacy, and technology, highlighting the power of art and culture as catalysts for meaningful global change.
Organized under the high patronage of the Arab Republic of Egypt in France, with the support of H.E. Tarek Dahroug, Ambassador of Egypt to France, and his wife, Alia El-Sirafi, this year's edition paid tribute to Egypt and celebrated its rich cultural heritage. The event was presented in collaboration with Anwar Elkamony's Hope Giver Campaign, further strengthening the Better World Fund's commitment to high-impact humanitarian initiatives.
"We believe that today the film industry has an essential role to play as a vehicle for social, educational, and environmental values. Raising public awareness is a fundamental pillar of art, as is the need to give greater visibility to powerful and compelling films driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the world," said Manuel Collas de la Roche, President and Founder of the Better World Fund.
Continuing a tradition dedicated to those making a positive impact, the Better World Fund has recognized and honored an extraordinary array of international figures over the years. Previous editions have welcomed and celebrated Hollywood icons including Susan Sarandon, Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Mary J. Blige, and David Lynch, alongside renowned activists, business leaders, philanthropists, ambassadors, and members of royal families.
The "Gala for Humanity" held at the Procuratie, with a red-carpet reception, followed by a charity dinner, artistic performances, and the presentation of the Better World Awards. The evening also featured a special tribute to the Amazônia Fund Alliance and the Akbaraly Foundation.
The event honored a distinguished group of personalities from cinema, culture, diplomacy, and social engagement with the Better World Fund Award, including Shahrbanoo Sadat, writer, filmmaker, and producer; Beth Powell, Jamaican airline captain, filmmaker, and producer; Julian Mylchreest; Thierry Klemeniuk; and Soraya Chaar, Amazônia Fund Alliance Program. The Hope Giver Campaign Award was presented to Mrs. Elvira Paterson, honoring a global movement launched in 2021 to inspire hope and support vulnerable communities worldwide.
Ahead of the Gala, at the Procuratie, the Better World Fund brought together international leaders, policymakers, artists, and thinkers for a high-level forum for dialogue. Structured around two sessions - "Stories, Scripts, Screens: Can We Sculpt a Better World through Cinema?", curated by Valentina Castellani Quinn, and "Artificial Intelligence for a Better World," led by Enzo di Taranto - the program examined how diplomacy, cinema, and technology can contribute to building a more equitable and sustainable future.
Discussions addressed the role of artificial intelligence in education, sustainability, cinema, and global development, with a particular focus on women's leadership, gender equality, and the future of education. Key themes included the legacy of AI for future generations and its impact on storytelling, culture, and society.
The program featured a distinguished group of speakers and panelists. The cinema session, "Stories, Scripts, Screens: Can We Sculpt a Better World through Cinema?", moderated by Valentina Castellani Quinn, brought together Shahrbanoo Sadat, writer, filmmaker, and producer (in collaboration with the Venice Film Festival); Matt Hookings, actor and CEO of Camelot Films; Clara McGregor, actress and producer; Alexandre Bouchet, film director; Luke Faulkner, film producer; and Michela Scolari, film producer. Together, they discussed how cinema can contribute to building a safer, fairer, and more inclusive world.
The session dedicated to artificial intelligence was moderated by Enzo di Taranto, with the participation of Cinzia Catalfamo Akbaraly, President of the Akbaraly Foundation, and Angelina Usanova, Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 and Miss Eco-International 2024. Together, the two sessions reflected the Better World Fund's mission to foster dialogue and collaboration across different sectors, using culture, technology, diplomacy, and cinema as catalysts for a more inclusive and forward-looking future.
The Better World Fund thanks its partners and supporters for their generous support: Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace; the Embassy of Egypt in Paris; EgyptAir, a Star Alliance member; Hollywood Hills Magazine; The Human Safety Net; Amazônia Fund Alliance Program; Akbaraly Foundation; Relentless Magazine; Thalie Paris; Christophe Como RJC Project Management LLC; Enif Make Up Academy; Obsidian; To Share The Italian Good Living; Vitiamo; A Pinch of Soul; Studio Mao; L. Raphaël; La Prairie Switzerland; Dante Mortet; Adalgisa Conte of Travel Setter Italy; Anwar El Kamouni and The Hope Giver Campaign; Camelot Films; ENIF Makeup Academy; Sting and Il Palagio Vineyard; RepoStage Magazine; Joanna Plafsky; Maia Wine; Dr. IVY London; SANCTA CRUX Wine; La Giuva.
Special recognition was given during the event to the support of the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program. Launched in 2023 during the Cannes Film Festival at the Better World Fund Gala, and working in partnership with the Brazilian Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations, the Program connects local communities and environmental initiatives with international partners, specialist expertise, and resources.
Since its launch, the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program has supported and connected a growing network of organizations and initiatives, including SOS Amazônia, ANMIGA, AmazoniAlerta, O'Organismo, Centro Huwa Karu Yuxibu, HealthRoots Project, Mermaid Hotel Amazon, Mothers of the Amazon, and Yemaya Productions. Together, these organizations and initiatives work across complementary areas including biodiversity conservation, forest restoration, Indigenous rights and women's leadership, cultural heritage preservation, community health, food security, access to technology, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development, and the amplification of Indigenous voices through media and film.
The Amazônia Fund Alliance Program is supported by internationally renowned public figures and philanthropists, whose involvement helps amplify its mission, visibility, and impact. Through its international network, the Program helps these organizations and initiatives increase their visibility, build strategic connections, and gain access to funding, technical expertise, and other forms of support tailored to their specific needs.
This year, two major initiatives provide tangible evidence of the impact of this work. Thanks to an extraordinary €500,000 donation from one of the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program's benefactors to Mothers of the Amazon, the organization was able to support the acquisition and protection of 20,501 hectares of forest and biodiversity in the Acre region, returning the land to the Huni Kui people.
Seeking to help audiences understand what the peoples of the forest are fighting to protect, the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program also supported the film "RAONI," directed by Alexandre Bouchet, helping to mobilize funding for the project and bring greater attention to the legacy of Chief Raoni and a century-long struggle to protect the Amazon. This commitment reaffirms a fundamental belief: protecting the Amazon also means protecting the voices and stories of those who defend it.
At Better World Fund Venice, the Better World Award recognized the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program's continued commitment to protecting the Amazon, supporting Indigenous communities, and turning international support into concrete action. Working alongside Indigenous communities, local organizations, and international partners, the Program supports conservation projects, cultural heritage protection, reforestation, and community-led initiatives throughout the Brazilian Amazon. Through responsible partnerships, international advocacy, and resource mobilization, the Program helps support the people and organizations working every day to protect the Amazon and the communities that call it home.
The evening also honored the Akbaraly Foundation and its mission of care for people and life for the world, alongside people who share the belief that meaningful change is possible when solidarity is translated into concrete action. The Akbaraly Foundation was established in 2008 from the vision of its Founder and President, Cinzia Catalfamo Akbaraly, and from one fundamental principle: access to healthcare and education should never depend on where a person is born, their economic circumstances, or whether they are a woman.
Through its medical centers, laboratories, Mobile Unit, and community-based programs, the Foundation places particular emphasis on women's and children's health, cancer prevention and early diagnosis, maternal health, and support for people in the most vulnerable circumstances. To date, the Akbaraly Foundation has provided more than 300,000 healthcare services, including over 80,000 breast cancer screenings, 75,000 cervical cancer screenings, and 22,000 pediatric consultations. At the same time, through awareness, prevention, and screening campaigns, it has reached more than one million people.
These achievements reflect an ongoing commitment: to turn solidarity into action and help make the right to healthcare a tangible and accessible reality for everyone. But behind every number is a person. There is a woman who, thanks to a timely diagnosis, can return home to her family. There is a child, once weakened by malnutrition, who can now grow, learn, play, and imagine a future. There is a community receiving the tools it needs to protect its health and that of future generations.
Yet for every person reached, many more are still waiting for a screening, a diagnosis, treatment, essential medicines, or adequate nutrition - or simply for someone to make them feel that they have not been forgotten. Every donation enables the Akbaraly Foundation to reach more patients, provide more care, strengthen its healthcare facilities, and bring essential assistance to the places where it is needed most. Supporting the Foundation does not simply mean funding a program. It means helping to make essential healthcare, restoring dignity and hope and, in some cases, offering a second chance.
The Akbaraly Foundation invites everyone who shares its values to support its work and contribute to building a future in which quality healthcare and education are not privileges reserved for a few, but opportunities accessible to all.
Better World Fund Website