amfAR Returns to Venice for Intimate Dinner Under the Stars

Nicole Scherzinger performed

Event presented by Campari
Signature Sponsor was the Red Sea International Film Festival
San Clemente Palace Kempinski was hotel partner

PHOTO LINK HERE: Press Release Photos
EPK LINK HERE: EPK (without Nicole Scherzinger performance)

Venice, Italy, September 10, 2021

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, returned to the Venice Film Festival to host a benefit dinner at the Arsenale last night. The event was presented by Campari with the Red Sea International Film Festival as signature sponsor and the San Clemente Palace Kempinski as hotel partner.

The exclusive evening included a socially distanced cocktail reception and dinner at water’s edge in the Arsenale. After dinner, wine courtesy by Boroli, guests were transported by gondola to enjoy the program from a floating stage on the Venetian lagoon. The program featured a musical performance by Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger.

Guests in attendance included Cynthia Erivo, Emile Hirsch, Dylan Penn, Ferzan Ozpetek, Jeremy Piven, Julian Lennon, Andres Velencoso, Sveva Alviti, Sarah Gadon, Sara Battaglia, Alexander Nanau, Adrienne Lau, Frida Aasen, Lara Leito, Leonie Hanne, Maia Mitchell, Mohammed Al Turki, Nina Senicar, Olivia Culpo, Rakan Abdulwahid, Carlo Capasa, Stefania Rocca, Simone Haggiag, Sofia Resing, Thom Evans, Umberta Gnutti Beretta, Valery Kaufman, amfAR Trustee Jay Ellis, amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost and more.

Jay Ellis and Nina Senicar opened the evening with remarks about the vital need for a cure for HIV, as the virus continues to infect thousands of people worldwide each day. amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost also took the stage to speak about the great strides made in AIDS research since the last amfAR Venice event 20 years ago, and highlighted the importance of continuing to support amfAR’s work. Frost also spoke of amfAR’s decision to expand its work in early 2020 to support scientists racing to find a way to treat COVID-19 and to further understand its effects on people living with HIV.

The evening continued with a live auction that included a variety of artworks and one-of-a kind luxury items and experiences, many of which were introduced by celebrities. Highlights of the auction included a vintage Campari poster by artist Carlo Fisanotti, a weekend stay at the San Clemente Palace, and Mick Jagger’s jacket from the Rolling Stones’ Coachella 2016 performance.

The amfAR Venice event was an intimate affair with a limited number of guests, and adhered to all health guidelines and protocols in relation to COVID-19. As a world leader in infectious disease research, amfAR has temporarily expanded its efforts to include research on COVID-19. While there has been incredible progress on vaccine development, urgent work remains to be done to develop safe and effective treatments and to answer critical questions about the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV. amfAR continues to fund research in these critical areas.

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.

About Campari
Campari, the iconic, unforgettable Italian red spirit sitting at the heart of some of the world’s most famous cocktails. Campari was founded in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, and pioneered by his son, Davide, who created something so distinctive and revolutionary that its secret recipe has not been altered since. Vibrant red in colour, Campari’s unique and multi-layered taste is the result of the infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. As well as being unique and distinctive, Campari is extremely versatile, offering boundless and unexpected possibilities. As a source of this passionate inspiration since its creation seen through its founders’ creative genius, artists in different fields and the world’s best bartenders, Campari stimulates your instincts to unlock your passions, inspiring limitless creations. 

About Red Sea International Film Festival
The inaugural edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is set to bring the best in Arab and World Cinema to the UNESCO world heritage site of Jeddah Old Town.
The Festival will showcase a compelling slate of new and diverse films, alongside a retrospective programme celebrating the masters of cinema as well as introducing audiences to exciting new voices from the region and beyond. The Festival will provide a platform for Arab filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world to connect, host feature and short film competitions, and present a series of events, masterclasses, and workshops to support emerging talent.

The Red Sea International Film Festival will take place from December 6 -15, 2021.

Contact: REDSEAFILMFEST@ddapr.com

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