MUMBAI: The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), will present the third annual Cinema Against AIDS Dubai gala to raise funds for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, on 10 December, 2009.
The funds support amfAR’s activities focused on AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.
DIFF managing director Shivani Pandya said the overwhelming success of the Cinema Against AIDS Dubai galas highlight the power of cinema in bringing together people for worthy causes. "It also puts the spotlight on Dubai, home to powerful charitable initiatives like Dubai Cares, a non-profit organization that is currently integrating the prioritization of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in to all of its education programs around the world."
The Cinema Against AIDS Dubai event follows World AIDS Day on 1 December .
"By bringing together global celebrities and the Dubai community on one platform, Cinema Against AIDS Dubai highlights the magnitude of the problem and raises vital funding," explained Pandya.
Last year, the Cinema Against AIDS Dubai gala Event Chairs Salma Hayek, Goldie Hawn and Laura Linney were joined by other international stars including Jeffrey Wright, Danny Glover, Harry and Pamela Belafonte, Preity Zinta, Oliver Stone, Terry Gilliam, Giancarlo Giannini, Pierfrancesco Favino and Anna Ferzetti.
Pearl Dubai chairman Abdul Majeed Ismail Al Fahim said, "The Cinema Against AIDS Dubai gala offers us a perfect platform to reiterate our corporate social responsibility agenda and partner in a cause of global significance. Last year, all associates of Dubai Pearl joined hands for the amfAR event, and we are honored to have made a difference through our active partnership."
The Cinema Against AIDS gala will feature a live auction with several memorabilia from the film and fashion world. There will be a number of attractive lifestyle packages also, all aimed at promoting stronger public participation to raise funds for amfAR, which has invested nearly $290 million in its programmes and awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.
