amfAR Raises $2.8 Million While Honoring Ferzan Ozpetek During Venice Film Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELLIE GOULDING PERFORMED

Event Presented by Campari and
Red Sea International Film Festival

PHOTO LINK HERE: Press Release Photos
EPK LINK HERE: EPK

Venice, Italy, September 8, 2022

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, honored Ferzan Ozpetek with the Award of Courage and Achille Boroli with the Philanthropic Leadership Award during the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2022. The event was presented by Campari and the Red Sea International Film Festival with the San Clemente Palace as the official hotel partner. Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding headlined the intimate evening.

Guests in attendance included Rachel Brosnahan, Jason Ralph, Jodie Turner-Smith, Marisa Tomei, Heather Graham, Patricia Clarkson, Stefano Accorsi, Trace Lysette, Casey Affleck, Caylee Cowan, Rose Bertram, Sarah Ferguson, Greta Ferro, Jasmine Sanders, Isabeli Fontana, Jessica Wang, Sara Sampaio, Barbara Meier, Sofia Resing, Vasily Klyukin, Yousra, Alec Monopoly, Alina Baikova, Nolan Funk, Izabel Goulart, Mohammed Al Turki, Jacob Rott, Tim Schaecker, Julien Brown, Bene Schulz, Johnny Sibilly, Andrei Gillott, Emir Uyar, Enrique Cabrera, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Lady Monika Bacardi, Luis Freitag, Marco Glaviano, Patrick Carroll, Simone Marchetti, Umberta Gnutti Beretta, Madalina Diana Ghenea, Farnoush Hamidian, Sveva Alviti, Edgardo Osorio, Yvonne Sciò, Valeria Marini, Sara Battaglia, Bianca Vitali, amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost and more.

Jodie Turner-Smith opened the evening with remarks about the vital need for a cure for HIV, as the virus continues to infect thousands of people worldwide and particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, whose people are close to Jodie’s heart. amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost then presented Achille Boroli with amfAR’s Philanthropic Leadership Award. Frost later returned to the stage to present the Award of Courage to the second honoree of the night, Ferzan Ozpetek.

The evening’s live auction, conducted by Simon de Pury, included a variety of artworks and one-of-a-kind luxury items and experiences, many of which were introduced by celebrities in the room. One of the highlights of the evening was a stunning bronze sculpture by Enrique Cabrera, which was auctioned off for $1 million. Other auction highlights included Christopher Makos’ portfolio of 10 photographs, an Alec Monopoly x Campari Custom Bar Cart, a Borolo Wine Experience, a Day on Set with Director Ferzan Ozpetek including a special edition print. and more.

Ellie Goulding got the crowd out of their seats and dancing while she concluded the evening with five of her hits, including her new song, “Easy Lover.”

About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $600 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,500 grants to research teams worldwide. 

Contact:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR
Senior Director, Communications
Bennah.serfaty@amfar.org

Credential Requests:
Melissa Rubenstein
melissa.rubenstein@amfar.org