Look To The Stars News: Mira Sorvino

Toronto Film Festival To Host Cinema Against AIDS

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

On September 15, 2009, amfAR – The American Foundation for AIDS Research – and Dignitas International will partner on the first-ever Cinema Against AIDS event during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and amfAR Ambassador Michelle Yeoh will serve as chairs of the evening, along with amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, John Demsey, Milutin Gatsby, Trudy Grant, amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim, Dignitas co-founder Dr. James Orbinski, and Kevin Sullivan. Grammy Award-winning musical artist Sarah McLachlan will deliver a special performance.

The black-tie gala will take place at the acclaimed Carlu in Toronto, and will include cocktails, dinner prepared by renowned Canadian chef Jamie Kennedy, and a luxury live auction. amfAR and Dignitas will share all proceeds from the event, funding that will benefit crucial AIDS research initiatives and efforts to improve quality of life for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the years, amfAR has awarded 52 grants to HIV/AIDS organizations in Canada, totaling more than US$2.6 million, making Canada the recipient of more amfAR funding than any countries except the U.S. and Australia.

amfAR’s first Cinema Against AIDS benefit was held in Cannes during the 1993 Cannes International Film Festival and was hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, amfAR’s Founding International Chairman. Since then, this annual black-tie gala has established itself as the most consistently exciting and well-publicized party held during the Cannes festival. In addition to Dame Elizabeth, who has hosted the benefit on seven occasions, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Sharon Stone has been a chair and auctioneer since 1995.

Cinema Against AIDS has also been held on various occasions during the Venice, Sundance, Rome, and Dubai film festivals, and in all cases these events have attracted a stunning guest list of top celebrities, entertainment industry elite, and international society. Traditionally, celebrities in the room assist with the live auction. Participants have included Ben Affleck, Prince Albert of Monaco, Lance Armstrong, Mary J. Blige, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Sofia Coppola, Penelope Cruz, Matt Damon, Catherine Deneuve, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sheryl Crow, Carla Fendi, Andy Garcia, Richard Gere, Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Anjelica Huston, Elizabeth Hurley, Iman, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Wyclef Jean, Scarlett Johansson, Milla Jovovich, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Kline, Diane Kruger, Diego Luna, David Lynch, Madonna, Sienna Miller, Liza Minnelli, Kylie Minogue, Clive Owen, Robert Pattinson, Sean Penn, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Lionel Richie, Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Kurt Russell, Claudia Schiffer, Julian Schnabel, Monica Seles, Mira Sorvino, Sylvester Stallone, Rod Stewart, Quentin Tarantino, Charlize Theron, Sigourney Weaver, Harvey Weinstein and Robin Williams, among others.

The film and entertainment communities have been committed and generous supporters of amfAR and the fight against AIDS since the start of the epidemic, and the Cinema Against AIDS galas have proven to be among the most high-profile and successful AIDS benefits worldwide. Since 1993, these signature amfAR events have played a pivotal role in focusing attention on the continued fight against AIDS, and have generated more than US$48 million in support of the foundation’s AIDS research programs.

Ticket info can be found here.

Stone Hosts AIDS Charity Auction

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:03:35 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Sharon Stone has brought new meaning to “giving the clothes off your back” at a charity auction in Italy.

The 49 year old star of Basic Instinct hosted the auction in Rome on October 26, to raise money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), a non-profit organization that supports AIDS research and prevention programs. During the evening, which was attended by guests such as model Eva Herzigova, film director Sophia Coppola, and actress Mira Sorvino, Stone responded to a request from the audience to auction the necklace she was wearing.

“I want you to know I love that necklace,” she said as she unhooked the clasp and put it up for sale. “I feel practically naked now.”

The necklace, crafted by British Crown jeweler Garrard, and featuring a wing-shaped pendant, sold for $50,000.

“$50,000 will fund an independent grant for a scientist working on a new AIDS initiative,” said Stone.

The night’s event, which raised a colossal $1.35 million for the charity, was a black tie and formal occasion, but this did not dampen Stone’s playful sense of humour.

“Romans, countrymen, lend me your wallets,” she said while greeting the guests. “Don’t flirt with me and not mean it.”

The Friday night auction also included a portrait of Italian actress Alida Valli by artist Francesco Vezzoli, which sold for $140,000, and a Fendi baguette purse signed by Stone that sold for $60,000.

Stone has been hosting AIDS fundraisers since 1995, and in October 2007 became the Global Fundraising Chairwoman for amfAR. The first charity auction held by the foundation in 1993 raised $200,000, but the auction held in Cannes in May 2007 raised $7 million. Stone joked that she never knows how successful the events will be.

“Every time I come here I think nobody will come and it will be a disaster and I will cry at the end,” said the Oscar nominee and mother of three. “But somewhere between $200,000 and $7 million will be a win.”

According to AmfAR, the organization has raised a total of $28 million from its charity auctions since 1993, and has invested more than $260 million to AIDS programs and research since its inception in 1985.

The next celebrity fundraising event for amfAR featuring Sharon Stone will be held in Dubai on December 10, and more information can be found at www.amfar.org.

Clooney and Others Auction "Dreams" For Martin Luther King III Foundation

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 10:18:28 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment and public service will offer unique personal experiences or memorabilia in an auction to benefit Realizing the Dream, Inc., the charity overseen by Martin Luther King III, eldest son of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and co-founded by former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young.

A total of 100 “Dreams” will be auctioned in waves, with the first 10 lots going under the hammer on December 21st. Additional Dreams will be added to the roster each Friday.

The first ten Dreams on offer are the following:

A private tour of the Yogi Berra Museum conducted by Yogi himself
Lunch with Walter Cronkite in New York
Join George Clooney at “Ocean’s 13” Movie Premiere and Private After Party
A private set tour with Michael and Mira Sorvino of their upcoming movie “The Trouble With Cali.” Also meet their father Paul Sorvino who directs and produces the film and their sister Amanda Sorvino, the screenwriter.
Jonathan Vilma will make a winning bidder his guest at a NY Jets Game and the recipient of his game jersey.
An opportunity to ring the Opening Bell at the New York Mercantile Exchange
NY Knicks-Luxury Suite, including 12 seats, for a Knicks game this 2006-2007 Season. This package includes food & drinks with TV commentators & player visits to the Luxury Suite.
NY Rangers-Luxury Suite, including 12 seats, for an Exciting Ranger Game this 2006-2007 season. This package includes food & drinks with TV commentators & player visits to the Luxury Suite.
Meet and Greet with New York Met David Wright on the field
Lunch with former UN Ambassador and Dr. King colleague Andrew Young

Realizing the Dream, Inc., with headquarters in Atlanta Georgia, is a non-profit organization dedicated to making Dr. King’s dream a reality for all. Realizing the Dream seeks to continue the legacy and work of Dr. and Mrs. King in wiping out poverty and injustice through programs that foster peace and nonviolent social change, empower poverty-stricken communities, and develop strong leaders among the nation’s youth. Monies raised from the auction will be used directly to carry out these programs.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the enormous response from celebrities all over the country,” said Mr. King. “With their help, the torch for justice, equality and community that my parents once held is uplifted. More important, their generous commitments in support of my quest to continue the work toward the elimination of poverty and suffering are a testament to my father’s belief in the Beloved Community.”

Bids can be made live on eBay or direct via supervising auctioneers Morphy Auctions.

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