Look To The Stars News: Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie Awarded At Cinema For Peace Gala In Berlin

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:20:00 +0000

“10 Years of Cinema For Peace” was the theme of the Cinema for Peace Gala on February 13 at Berlin’s famous Gendarmenmarkt Concert Hall under the patronage of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, featuring guests of honor Angelina Jolie and Bob Geldof.

For the last ten years, Cinema for Peace has been supporting the fight for human rights, social justice, humanitarian missions, and environmental protection through captivating social film expression. Recognized as one of the world’s most important film events, the Cinema for Peace gala now has partner events in both New York City and Los Angeles, with many projects funded by generous sponsors and private donations.

This year’s Cinema for Peace gala focused on Bosnia and Burma through Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut “In the Land of Blood and Honey”, which was presented with a special Award for Opposing War and Genocide. In November 2011, the Cinema for Peace Foundation opened an office in Sarajevo in Bosnia Herzegovina, as recognition of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, which is the primary focus of the foundation. The foundation hopes to conduct over 10,000 interviews with witnesses and survivors of the massacre in order to bring clarity to the horrific event. The interviews will be made available in an online library and eventually the subject of documentary. Students, scientists and non-government organizations will provide detailed insight regarding the event of the massacre in Srebrenica during the war in former Yugoslavia. The international criminal court for former Yugoslavia has placed 161 accused war criminals before the court.

LTTS Exclusive: Dancing With The Stars' Louis Van Amstel Talks Charity

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Misty Schwartz of Look To The Stars recently caught up with Dancing With the Stars pro Louis Van Amstel, who is on tour to promote his lifestyle brand (and just-released 5-disc workout DVD set) called LaBlast Fitness.

What is the criteria for choosing the charities that you so strongly support?

Stars Help Honor Sean Penn's Work In Haiti

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

A host of stars were out in Beverly Hills in the weekend to celebrate Sean Penn and his work with the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

A swag of celebrities – including Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Orlando Bloom, George Clooney, Demi Moore, Diane Lane, Josh Brolin, Petra Nemcova, Emily Watson, Hilary Swank, Harvey Weinstein, James Gandolfini, Rumor Willis and many more – turned out at the Montage Hotel on Saturday to watch Penn be awarded the Cinema For Peace Honorary Award for his work in Haiti.

The event also featured a huge celebrity charity auction that saw one of Angelina Jolie’s rings go under the hammer for $60,000. Damien Rice bought one of Bono’s guitars for $475,000, and Julia Roberts’ husband, Danny Moder, forked out $50,000 for the chance to work with Penn in Haiti.

DoSomething.org Announces Top 20 Celebs Gone Good 2011

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

DoSomething.org, one of the largest U.S. organizations that helps teens take action on causes they care about, released today its fourth annual ‘Top 20 Celebs Gone Good’ list.

Lady Gaga continues her reign as the star who uses her celebrity to do the most good. Known for her support of gay rights, AIDS, and poverty, she focused primarily this year on bullying, even taking her thoughts to the White House in December. She also announced the creation of her own charity, the Born This Way Foundation, which aims to empower youth and lead them to a brave new society where each individual is accepted and loved as the person they were born to be.

Making a meteoric rise to number two this year is Justin Bieber, up from number 10 last year. His fast rise is due to his prolific work with Pencils of Promise, an organization that builds schools in Laos and Guatemala. Justin is also a consistent supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, raised funds for charity with his fragrance and holiday album, and recently distributed $100,000 to Whitney Elementary School in Las Vegas.

Angelina Jolie Donates Soundtrack Proceeds To Charity

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie, Graham King Films and Varese Sarabande Records have announced that a portion of the proceeds from the In the Land of Blood and Honey soundtrack will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The donation is given in support of the critically needed programs that SOS Children’s Villages provides in Bosnia and Herzegovina to children, youth and families still suffering from lingering effects of the 1990s war in the Balkans. In her directorial debut, Jolie worked with actors from the region whose personal experiences during the war helped inform and shape the film.

Jolie stated, “We are happy that a portion of the proceeds from the film’s soundtrack will support SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide stable, family-based homes to children, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, who do not have their own families to care for them.”

LTTS Book Review: Philanthrocapitalism

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:40:00 +0000

For anyone interested in the charity work of the rich and the famous, Philanthrocapitalism by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green is – in the words of Bill Clinton – “an important book.”

With a foreword by Clinton and featuring interviews with the movers and shakers of the charity world – including Bono, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie and Richard Branson – Philanthrocapitalism is a highly readable and thoroughly researched study of who is doing what to tackle the big issues facing humanity today. It gives in-depth accounts of where the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs and business leaders are spending their money and exactly what effect their efforts are having – both negative and positive. Even the most skeptical reader will get an insight into how money is being used to bring new solutions to age-old problems.

Bishop and Green give a well-rounded and in-depth view of the changing face of philanthropy in today’s world, detailing the history of charity to the dark ages and beyond. Their research studies the reasons behind the giving of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Ted Turner and their super-rich friends, and the effects they have on their chosen causes. In the process, it shows how the fame and status of big names such as Bono and Angelina Jolie play a useful part in making the world a better place – as Angelina says, “people take my calls.” This book shows us exactly how giving can save the world.

Latin Grammy Winners Fight Exploitation And Trafficking

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Nineteen-time Latin Grammy winners Calle 13 joined forces with UNICEF, MTV Latin America and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más last week to launch the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign within Latin American and US Hispanic communities.

The multi-media campaign aims to reach Spanish-speaking youth in Latin America and the US to increase awareness and prevention around human trafficking and exploitation through creative content, digital media interaction, community events and opportunities for direct participation.

Lured by false promises offering opportunities for a better life, at least 550,000 children, adolescents and youth have become victims of trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean; often forced into unsafe sexual practices and drug use, they are at a heightened risk of contracting HIV.

Angelina Jolie Inspires New Home For Bosnian Refugees

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Thirteen Bosnian refugees moved into a new US-financed apartment building named after Angelina Jolie last week.

Villa Angelina was built in the Bosnian city of Rogatica and funded by a US Government donation of $500,000 made following the actress’ two visits to Bosnia last year. The trips were facilitated by the UNHCR, and saw Angelina meet with the Chair of the Presidency, Haris Silajdžic, and Presidency member Željko Komšic.

During the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, almost half of the country’s population was displaced. Recognising the enormity of the displacement, Jolie stated that “the consequences of such a tragedy cannot be undone, however we have a responsibility to do all in our power to reduce the pain by helping those who need assistance. In doing so, we contribute to overcoming divides and building a better future for all the people of the country”.

Angelina Jolie Visits Aid Agencies In Libya

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:15:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie was in Libya on a personal mission this week to bring awareness to the agencies bringing aid to the country.

The star arrived in the country on Tuesday for a two day trip.

“I have come to Libya for a variety of reasons, to see a country in transition at every level and to witness efforts to fully realize the promise of the Arab Spring,” she said. “The country faces a host of challenges, including internally displaced people, refugees, rule of law, security, sanitation, education, health and other humanitarian needs. All of these pieces must be delivered and coordinated properly in an environment of reconciliation and justice.”

Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt Make Donation To Help Somalia

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have donated over $340,000 to an aid initiative in Somalia through their Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

Mohamed Dahir, a spokesperson from Humanitarian Initiative Just Relief Aid – the beneficiary of the donation – says the money will allow the charity increase services that serve 300 women and children every day in Mogadishu’s Badbaado camp.

The organization envisions the end of human suffering in The Horn of Africa through the creation of an environment where people are self-reliant, living in a sustainable and prosperous community with the assurance of a victimless future. They are committed to providing the most vulnerable in the community with the tools to access safe and clean water, to develop and maintain healthy living conditions, to initiate and create income generating opportunities, and develop skills through the dissemination of information, education and training to ensure their future self-reliance.

Angelina Jolie: Hundreds Of Thousands Of Refugees Depend On You

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:15:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie on Tuesday urged the international community to scale up its efforts to deal with the crisis in the Horn of Africa, saying the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees depended on it.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie at the annual meeting of the refugee agency’s governing body. Photo: UNHCR/J. Tanner.

Angelina Jolie Honored By UNHCR For Refugee Work

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The UNHCR paid lavish tribute on Monday night to award-winning American actress Angelina Jolie and Yemeni humanitarian aid group Society for Humanitarian Solidarity (SHS) for their outstanding work for refugees over many years.

SHS founder Nasser Salim Ali Al-Hamairy makes an acceptance speech as Angelina Jolie and UNHCR chief António Guterres look on

Angelina Jolie Visits Charity HQ In Scotland

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie and her family visited HALO’s global headquarters in Scotland this weekend.

She and Brad Pitt have been long-term supporters of HALO, and visited their projects in a number of mine-impacted countries. Their financial support to HALO has run to many hundreds of thousands of pounds, funding humanitarian mine clearance teams in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Kosovo and Afghanistan. This was her first visit to the HQ, and was a chance for a global briefing by senior HALO staff on the current landmine problem.

Brad Pitt Supports Same-Sex Marriage

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Brad Pitt has given his support to New York’s legalization of same-sex marriage, saying that marriage is a right that every American deserves.

“It is encouraging that New York has joined the movement to grant equal marriage rights to its citizens,” he said. "But it is each American’s Constitutional right to marry the person they love, no matter what state they inhabit.

“No state should decide who can marry and who cannot. Thanks to the tireless work of so many, someday soon this discrimination will end and every American will be able to enjoy their equal right to marriage.

Angelina Jolie Spends Busy Weekend With Refugees

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie had a busy weekend with the UNHCR, traveling to Turkey to meet Syrian refugees on Friday, and meeting boat people on a tiny Italian island on Sunday.

A massive influx of refugees into Turkey has stretched the country’s resources in the last two weeks, as thousands of people escape violence in Syria. There are around 10,000 people living in four camps on the Turkish border at the moment, being looked after by the Turkish Red Crescent. Angelina visited one of these – the Altinozu camp in Hatay, where 1,700 people are living – to raise awareness of their plight.

Stars Donate Items To Celebrity Charity Auction To Help Joplin

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A number of stars – including Johnny Depp, Yoko Ono, Patricia Arquette, Bono, Jeff Probst, Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Jack Johnson – have donated items to a great auction raising money for the people of Joplin, the Missouri town where an estimated 30% of the buildings were destroyed and over 150 people were killed by a tornado on May 22.

Items going under the hammer include an book about U2 signed by Bono, a script signed by the cast of General Hospital, a rare Lady Gaga Born This Way picture disc, posters signed by Ry Cooder and Martina McBride, a basket ball signed by the Lakers, a guitar signed by Foreigner, the chance to meet Coldplay, Maroon 5 and Uncle Cracker, the chance to Skype with OneRepublic and much more. Sean Lennon has donated a signed guitar, while Yoko Ono has signed a photo of her with John Lennon.

Proceeds from the auction will go to United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. Last week, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt donated $500,000 to the people of Joplin in the wake of the tornado.

Angelina Jolie To Visit Syrian Refugees In Turkey

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:35:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie has been granted permission to visit Syrian refugees in Turkey this weekend.

The UNHCR ambassador will land in Istanbul on Friday, then make her way to Hatay to visit some of the 8000 Syrians who have flooded into the country to escape violence in their homeland. Many of the refugees are currently staying in tent cities set up by the Turkish Red Crescent Society.

Jolie is currently in Malta with Brad Pitt and their children.

Angelina Jolie: Do 1 Thing For Refugees

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:40:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has released her annual video message for World Refugee Day (June 20).

“Every day, thousands of people run from war, persecution and terror,” she says in the new video. "Even one is too many. One family forced to flee is too many. One child growing up in a camp is too many. One refugee without hope is too many.

“Do one thing – visit UNHCR.org and learn how you can make a difference.”

Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Make Charity Donation To Tornado Victims

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have given $500,000 to help a Missouri town where Pitt’s mother went to school recover from a huge tornado that struck on May 22.

The couple made the donation through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation on Thursday to help rebuild the town of Joplin after an estimated 30% of the buildings were destroyed by the tornado. Over 150 people were killed.

“The Joplin community faces great challenges ahead,” said Brad. "Having spent most of my childhood there, I know these people to be hardworking, humble and especially resilient.

Angelina Jolie's Deep Shock At Refugee Drownings

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:30:00 +0000

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie expressed “deep shock” last week at the reported drownings of 213 people in rough waters some 60 kilometres off the southern coast of Italy.

According to survivors, the group – including Somalis, Eritreans and Ivorians – set off from Libya three days ago in an attempt to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean. They told UNHCR that many women and three children were among the 213 people who are presumed to have drowned when the vessel foundered on Wednesday. The Italian coastguard rescued 47 people, including two women, one of them pregnant.

“These people were refugees twice,” Guterres said. “They fled war and persecution in their own countries and now, in their attempt to seek safety in Italy, they tragically lost their lives.”

Angelina Jolie Makes Charity Trip To Tunisian-Libyan Border

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:05:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie on Tuesday travelled to the Tunisian-Libyan border to urge greater international support for people fleeing fighting in Libya.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie meets Somali refugees today at Choucha Camp, located near the Tunisian-Libyan border.

Angelina Jolie Meets Refugees In Afghanistan

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has just returned from her second visit to Afghanistan, and is calling for greater focus on the reintegration of Afghan refugees.

The actress and humanitarian was in Afghanistan for two days to meet refugee returnees and internally displaced people. More than 5.5 million refugees have returned to the country since 2002, with the UNHCR concerned about their access to basic needs.

Angelina Jolie Campaigns For Refugees In Libya And Côte d'Ivoire

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:15:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie today voiced deep concern for the tens of thousands of civilians caught up in two separate and fast-unfolding emergencies: Côte d’Ivoire and Libya.

“As we witness these newest crises unfold in west and north Africa, it is critical that all parties respect the fundamental right of people in danger to flee to safety – whether civilians caught in conflict in their own country or refugees and asylum seekers caught in new conflicts,” Jolie said. “All I’m asking is that civilians be protected, and not targeted or harmed.”

In Côte d’Ivoire, fierce fighting in the Abobo district of Abidjan and clashes in the west over the past few days have blocked access for humanitarian organizations and brought the country perilously close to all-out civil war. Thousands of people have been displaced in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial hub, and refugees have been streaming across the country’s western border into Liberia in unprecedented numbers. Eastern Liberia is already dealing with more than 70,000 Ivorians who have arrived there since the presidential election of late November.

Brad and Angelina Donate $2m to Conservation Centre

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:49:00 +0000

Hollywood philanthropists Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have pledged $2 million to support the work of an animal sanctuary in Namibia.

The couple spent Christmas at the N/a’an ku se Sanctuary’s wildlife lodge in their daughter Shiloh’s birth country. The lodge is run by Rudie and Malice van Vuuren.

“We have known Rudie and Marlice for many years and continue to be impressed by their hard work and dedication to the people and conservation of the land and wildlife of Namibia,” said Jolie.

Elizabeth Taylor, Selena Gomez Honored at WIN Awards

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Tuesday night saw Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Suzanne Roberts among the honorees at the Women’s Image Network’s WIN Awards, along with thirteen other outstanding film and television nominees.

The nominee list included films and shows such as Temple Grandin, Glee, Made In Dagenham, Capturing Mary, Secretariat, You Don’t Know Jack, and actresses Diane Lane, Sally Hawkins, Hope Davis, Jennifer Aniston, Dame Maggie Smith, Jane Lynch, Susan Sarandon, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sasha Alexander and Selena Gomez.

The annual award ceremony, which took place this year in Santa Monica, strives to foster positive public opinion on the value of women who are committed to promoting gender equality, creativity and leadership. Men are also included in the nomination category.