At the amfAR Gala in Venice, a Celebration of Where Film Meets Philanthropy

During the Venice Film Festival, most of the visitors you’ll see traveling to and from the city’s Lido island are the thousands of film industry and media types—red lanyards around their necks—descending to watch the latest films from the world’s greatest auteurs. Last night, however, an altogether more glamorous crowd descended on the Giovanni Nicelli Airport—an architectural marvel from the 1920s recalling the golden age of travel—to celebrate (and most importantly, raise money for) amfAR, the nonprofit dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy.

After stepping through the airport’s gilded lobby and out onto an enormous airstrip, Antonio Banderas could be spotted posing in front of a vintage airplane, while models Toni Garrn and Maria Borge mingled with guests clad in glittering sequins and Chopard jewelry, sipping Campari spritzes and negronis as disco music blasted over the speakers. Then, at 9 p.m. on the dot, attendees were ushered into a cavernous aircraft hangar, which had been transformed for the night into a lavish dining room, with tables draped in gold silks and teeming floral centerpieces that hid buckets stocked with Champagne on ice.

The evening’s events kicked off with a heartfelt speech from the night’s host, Kate Beckinsale, thanking everyone for their support and outlining amfAR’s current quest to find a cure for AIDS. Shortly afterward, actor Rumer Willis took to the stage to belt out covers of The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” and Adele s “I Drink Wine”—and then, it was onto the first award of the evening, which was presented to Antonio Banderas, who recalled his experiences making Jonathan Demme’s legal drama Philadelphia, the release of which served as a turning point in the public’s understanding of HIV/AIDS and homophobia. More specifically, Banderas recalled filming one scene where the majority of the background actors were gay, and speaking to them afterwards. “I’ll see you at the premiere,” he remembers telling them, to which they replied, “I’m not going to make it to the premiere.” Indeed, many of them did not, but as Banderas put it, “In the future, people will—thanks to organizations like amfAR.”

A lively auction hosted by Simon de Pury followed featuring airport marshaling batons in place of auction paddles, with lots including works by Andy Warhol and Kenny Scharf being snapped up for tens of thousands, then actor and long-time amfAR supporter Eva Longoria presented the Philanthropic Leadership Award to her friend the Saudi Arabian film producer Mohammed Al Turki. Then, after a main course of seared tuna, it was time for the night’s main events, as Richard Gere took to the stage to receive the Award of Inspiration, and delivered a personal and deeply affecting speech about why he has dedicated many decades of his life to humanitarian causes, after losing several close friends—including the celebrated fashion photographer Herb Ritts—from the late 1980s onwards. “It wasn’t fun, and it wasn’t a game,” he recalled. “But it did galvanize many of us to realize that we could have power by working together—as a group of people we have energy and reach far beyond one human being.”

Finally, it was onto the evening’s headline entertainer, Kelly Rowland, who brought the house down with the help of two backing dancers, a silver sequined catsuit, and a medley of her greatest hits, including “Dilemma,” “Like This,” and “When Love Takes Over,” as well as Destiny’s Child classics like “Say My Name” and “Bootylicious.” Guests danced away into the night, with most speeding off back into the historic heart of Venice via a fleet of water taxis—returning both entertained and educated. In the words of Gere, “Resources from events like this and fundraising and great donors who have helped amfAR and other groups are saviors for this planet. Not only for HIV/AIDS, other pandemics, and other issues. Together we can solve any problem.” Today, it was announced that the evening raised over $2.5 million for amfAR: for now, that’s mission accomplished.

Here, take a look inside the amfAR Venezia 2024 gala, held in conjunction with Venice Film Festival.