Nearly $11 Million Raised at amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala

Most Successful Event in amfAR History

Event Presented By Bold Films, L’Oréal Paris, Co-Sponsored By Chopard, Mercedes-Benz, And Quintessentially: After Party Presented By Super-Max 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

amfAR Media Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director of Communications
(212) 806-1607
bennah.serfaty@amfar.org  

Natalie Marquis, Media Relations Associate
(212) 806-1694
natalie.marquis@amfar.org  

CANNES, FRANCE May 25, 2012—The 2012 amfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala raised nearly $11 million for the fight against AIDS, a record-breaking total for amfAR. This annual star-studded event, held in conjunction with the Cannes International Film Festival, took place May 24 at the famed Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France.

Kylie Minogue, Janet Jackson, Milla Jovovich, Alec Baldwin, Bérénice Bejo, Michel Hazanavicius, Carine Roitfeld, Karl Lagerfeld,  amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, Milutin Gatsby, Diane Kruger, Joshua Jackson, Heidi Klum, Gerard Butler, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, Adrien Brody, Petra Nemcova, Rodrigo Santoro, Mallika Sherawat, Michelle Rodriguez, Aishwarya Rai, Asia Argento, Cheyenne Jackson, Liya Kebede, Julianna Margulies, Doutzen Kroes, Kelly Rutherford, Nina Dobrev, Joely Richardson, Chris Tucker, and Eva Herzigova were among those who attended the gala event. 

The evening opened with a raucous performance by acclaimed indie-pop band FUN., who played  their #1 hit “We Are Young,” and also featured a surprise, impromptu performance by “I Need a Dollar” singer Aloe Blacc.

British R&B/pop sensation Jessie J’s set was a highlight of the night, getting the crowd out of their seats and dancing to her hit songs “Pricetag” and “Domino.”

For the first time ever, the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala included a fashion show, curated by iconic fashion editor Carine Roitfeld. The show featured top supermodels including Karolina Kurkova, Kate Upton, Lily Donaldson, Cora Emmanuel, and Cara Delevingne in looks from designers Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Christian Dior Tailleur, Christopher Kane, Diane von Furstenberg, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Gucci, Joseph Altuzarra, Kenneth Cole, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Marchesa, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Valentino, and Versace.  The entire dream wardrobe was auctioned as a single lot that fetched €300,000.

Other auction items included the chance to star in a short film by fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, which sold twice for a total of €850,000; a one-hour private tennis match with the world’s number one ranked men’s player Novak Djokovic that sold for €90,000; and a private photo shoot with famed fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh that raised €90,000.  A signed screen print of Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn 29, 1967, sold for €600,000 and an original Damien Hirst piece entitled Beautiful Nectar Painting, 2007, fetched €700,000. Motorcycle enthusiast Adrien Brody helped to auction off a stunning motorcycle commissioned by Redemption Choppers as a tribute to amfAR’s late founding International Chairman, the legendary Elizabeth Taylor, which raised €160,000.

The after party was presented by Super-Max and Rocky Malhotra, with artistic direction by Carl Hirschmann and Le Baron.  Sky Ferreira performed a high-energy set during the party.  In an exciting moment, Ferreira sang the introduction to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance,” which led into legendary DJ Giorgio Moroder—who is known for writing and producing many of Summer’s best-known hits—kicking off his set with the original Donna Summer recording. Other DJs included Michaelangelo L’Acqua and Peter Pan, who provided the music late into the night at the Eden-Roc, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

amfAR's annual Cinema Against AIDS galas have been important and successful fundraising events for the Foundation for nearly two decades, generating more than $70 million for essential AIDS research.  Past events have been chaired by amfAR’s late Founding International Chairman Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who hosted the first Cinema Against AIDS gala in 1993, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Sharon Stone, President Bill Clinton, Demi Moore, Sir Elton John, and Madonna, among many others. 

Like the epidemic itself, AIDS research knows no borders. amfAR’s programs have had a global reach since 1986, when the Foundation began awarding international grants. Today, amfAR continues to fund HIV/AIDS researchers worldwide and works to translate that research into effective treatment, prevention, and education programs around the globe.

Cinema Against AIDS is presented by Bold Films, L’Oréal Paris, and co-sponsored by Chopard, Mercedes-Benz, and Quintessentially.  Champagne and spirits are generously provided by Moët Hennessy.

For more information, visit www.amfar.org.

About amfAR

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of HIV research, prevention, treatment, education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $366 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.

About Bold Films

Bold Films is an independent film finance and production company dedicated to finding original voices, nurturing the highest quality of craftsmanship, and creating an artistic haven for filmmakers. Bold produces smart, provocative feature films designed to appeal to our global partners and commercial audiences around the world.

About L’Oréal Paris

L'Oréal Paris is the leading beauty brand in the world, a total beauty care brand that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty.  L’Oréal Paris encompasses the four major beauty categories—hair color, hair care, skin care, and cosmetics—represented by a dream team of spokespersons: Gwen Stefani, Freida Pinto, Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Yeoh, Milla Jovovich, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Rachel Weisz, Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Diane Kruger, Gerard Butler, Diane Keaton, Gong Li, Aishwarya Rai, Aimee Mullins, Jane Fonda, and Doutzen Kroes, women and men who perfectly embody the combination of glamour, modernity, and diversity of today's beauty for L'Oréal.  

Since 2005, the L’Oréal Group has been involved in the fight against AIDS, especially via its Hairdressers Against AIDS program, which aims to provide hairdressing professionals with the resources needed to inform individuals of the disease’s risks, as well as to raise awareness about preventing the spread of AIDS.

For more information on L’Oréal Paris and its brands, visit www.lorealparis.com for access to unique content and dynamic interactive features.

Excellence, tradition, innovation, creativity, and social responsibility are the hallmarks of Chopard, the internationally renowned luxury watch and jewelry firm founded in 1860. Today, Chopard continues to manufacture high-precision watches and precious jewelry through a skillful mix of innovative design, high technology, and traditional craftsmanship. The house of Chopard cultivates no less than 30 different crafts embodying a noble heritage of fine workmanship based on traditional values. Official partner of the Cannes Film Festival for 14 years, Chopard is often synonymous with glamour. The company is also deeply committed to philanthropic and responsible patronage activities, with ongoing support for amfAR, the Elton John Aids Foundation, and the José Carreras Leukemia Foundation.

About Mercedes-Benz

For the past 125 years, Mercedes-Benz’s pioneering work has been shaping the future of mobility. The star symbolizes the perfect union of fascination and responsibility in a way that is unequaled by any other trademark in the automotive world. True to Gottlieb Daimler’s maxim “The best or nothing,” Mercedes-Benz is using its great innovative power to continually define new milestones in terms of vehicle drive systems, safety, comfort, and design.

For the Cannes International Film Festival Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are celebrating the awarding of the 65th Palme d'Or by providing a fleet of shuttle vehicles in gold and by offering a unique automotive experience.

About Quintessentially

Quintessentially Lifestyle, labeled by the Financial Times as the “wish-fulfillment empire” for its personalized and proactive service to the world’s most discerning individuals is absolutely second to none and its success has subsequently been referred to as “unprecedented” by The Sunday Times. Since 2000, Quintessentially Lifestyle has expanded exponentially from the UK’s premier concierge service into the world’s leading Members-only concierge club. The company is committed to the notion that quality matters and strives to go above and beyond its members’ expectations. With offices in more than 60 cities worldwide including Paris, Geneva, London, New York, Hong Kong and Dubai, Quintessentially Lifestyle provides a truly global yet localized service. Quintessentially Lifestyle helps raise funds for several worthy charities, including amfAR.

About Super-Max

A trusted brand in over 150 countries, Super-Max is the world’s second largest manufacturer of razor blades by volume.  A young, dynamic and agile organization, with a team over 7,000 strong spanning more than 60 nationalities. Super-Max has true global reach with 19 regional offices across 5 continents, 12 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities worldwide, and established partnerships with leading Fortune 500 retailers globally.

An organization powered by a relentless global drive and a thirst for innovation is credited with launching the world’s first Triple blade disposable razor, world’s first Four blade disposable razor, and the world’s 1st Battery operated disposable razor to name but a few.

Super-Max product portfolio offers a complete range of grooming solutions. We offer a wide spectrum of products in the blades category which include double edge blades, single and twin disposable razors, triple disposable razors, and the latest four blades disposable razors. In the toiletries segment the product ranges from shaving creams, foams and gels, after-shave lotions and balms, and deodorants. Building on the success of the current categories, the group has recently diversified into additional areas including oral care and batteries.

Gaining the trust of millions of consumers with cutting-edge designs and performance driven grooming solutions, Super-Max is indeed the consumer’s best choice.

Delta is the Official Airline Partner of amfAR