During the Venice Film Festival, Venice also comes alive through events that bring the world of the big screen outside the theaters. These events, where the prestige of the guests and the charm of the venues draw attention to issues that deserve to be heard, provided the perfect setting for the Better World Fund’s Gala for Humanity—a day dedicated to the relationship between culture and social responsibility, held at the Procuratie in St. Mark’s Square.
The September 8, 2026, edition has chosen Egypt as the country to be celebrated, pairing its cultural heritage with a focus on women’s rights, gender equality, and access to education. Film, philanthropy, diplomacy, and innovation have shaped the initiative, which was created to highlight individuals and projects dedicated to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities.
Organized in France under the high patronage of the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the support of Ambassador Tarek Dahroug and his wife Alia El-Sirafi, the event renewed its partnership with Anwar Elkamony’s The Hope Giver Campaign. A global movement launched in 2021 to support communities in need and promote humanitarian initiatives.
The Better World Fund is led by Manuel Collas de la Roche, its president and founder, who believes that cinema has a specific responsibility: to tell stories that engage audiences and raise awareness about social, educational, and environmental issues.
“We believe that today the film industry has an essential role to play as a vehicle for social, educational, and environmental values. Raising public awareness is a fundamental pillar of art, as is the need to give greater visibility to powerful and engaging films, driven by the desire to have a positive impact on the world,” he said.
It is a vision that, over the years, has drawn prominent figures from the worlds of film, music, and philanthropy to the Better World Fund. Previous recipients include Susan Sarandon, Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, Mary J. Blige, and David Lynch, along with Prince Albert II of Monaco. These names highlight the initiative’s international scope and its connection to the entertainment world.
For the Venice event, the evening program included a red-carpet reception starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by a charity dinner, artistic performances, and the presentation of the Better World Awards. The Procuratie, overlooking St. Mark’s Square, provided a setting that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening: a venue steeped in the city’s history for an event focused on the challenges of the present.
Among the nominees for the 2026 awards are international model and former rhythmic gymnast Vialina Lemann; screenwriter, director, and producer Shahrbanoo Sadat; and Beth Powell, a Jamaican airline captain, filmmaker, and producer. The list also includes Julian Mylchreest, Thierry Klemeniuk, Soraya Chaar of the Amazônia Fund Alliance, and Anwar Elkamony, founder of The Hope Giver Campaign. Though their paths have been different, they are united by their focus on culture and social commitment.
The day’s events, however, began before the gala. The morning program, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., also held at the Procuratie, featured two masterclasses dedicated to cinema and artificial intelligence. It was an opportunity to explore the relationship between creativity, technological progress, and educational opportunities, with a particular focus on women and the younger generations.
The session “Stories, Scripts, Screens: Can We Sculpt a Better World through Cinema?”, led by Valentina Castellani Quinn, focused on the power of stories to shape the way we interpret society. Among the announced speakers were Shahrbanoo Sadat, in collaboration with the Venice Film Festival; Matt Hookings, actor and CEO of Camelot Films; actress and producer Clara McGregor; director Alexandre Bouchet; and producers Luke Faulkner and Michela Scolari.
From writing to production, the discussion encouraged reflection on the choices that determine which experiences make it to the screen and which voices are given a platform. This issue concerns the representation of women, cultural differences, and the opportunity to tell the stories of communities that are often overlooked by the international spotlight.
“Artificial Intelligence for a Better World,” moderated by Enzo di Taranto, focused on the use of artificial intelligence in education, sustainability, film, and global development. The program listed Cinzia Catalfamo Akbaraly, president of the Akbaraly Foundation, and Angelina Usanova, Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 and Miss Eco-International 2024, as participants. The focus was on the impact of technology on culture and society, along with the legacy that today’s choices will leave for future generations.
Special attention was given to the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program and the Akbaraly Foundation, which were the recipients of a special tribute. These two organizations bring the event’s themes to life through environmental protection, support for indigenous communities, and access to healthcare.
The Amazon Fund Alliance Program was launched in 2023 during the Cannes Film Festival, at the Better World Fund gala. It operates in collaboration with the Brazilian Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations, connecting local organizations, international partners, financial resources, and expertise.
Its work encompasses biodiversity conservation, forest restoration, indigenous peoples’ rights, women’s leadership, and the protection of cultural heritage. Among the organizations supported and involved in the network are SOS Amazônia, ANMIGA, AmazoniAlerta, O’Organismo, Centro Huwã Karu Yuxibu, HealthRoots Project, Mermaid Hotel Amazon, Mothers of the Amazon, and Yemaya Productions.
The data presented in the press release paint a clear picture. In 2026, a donation of 500,000 euros from a program benefactor to Mothers of the Amazon supported the acquisition and conservation of 20,501 hectares of forest and biodiversity in the state of Acre, returning the land to the Huni Kui people.
Our connection to cinema is also reflected in our support for “RAONI,” the film directed by Alexandre Bouchet. The program has helped raise funds and bring attention to Chief Raoni’s legacy and the long struggle to protect the Amazon. Protecting the forest also means listening to those who live there and ensuring that their stories reach a wider audience.
In the area of health, the Akbaraly Foundation has been carrying out the project of its founder and president, Cinzia Catalfamo Akbaraly, since 2008: to make healthcare and education accessible to all, without discrimination based on place of birth, economic status, or gender.
In Madagascar, where the founder has lived for thirty years, the Foundation operates through medical centers, laboratories, a mobile unit, and community-based programs. Its work focuses on women’s and children’s health, cancer prevention and early diagnosis, maternal health, and assistance for the most vulnerable people.
According to the data provided, the Foundation has provided over 300,000 healthcare services, including more than 80,000 breast cancer screenings, 75,000 cervical cancer screenings, and 22,000 pediatric visits. Awareness, prevention, and screening campaigns have reached over one million people. These figures reflect the daily work of diagnosis, care, and access to essential treatments.
The Venice event is supported by a network of partners in the hospitality, travel, beauty, wine, and culture sectors. Among them are Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace, EgyptAir, The Human Safety Net, Camelot Films, Thalie Paris, L. Raphaël, La Prairie Switzerland, ENIF Makeup Academy, Dante Mortet, Travel Setter Italy, and Sting’s Il Palagio Vineyard, along with numerous other organizations.
The Gala for Humanity has thus combined the language of glamour with measurable outcomes: hectares of forest preserved, health screenings, educational projects, and support for communities. Within the Venetian calendar, its distinctive feature lies in this relationship between visibility and action. The film industry draws attention, organizations share their work, and solidarity finds concrete causes to which resources can be allocated.
