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Fresh off a surprise appearance with Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella, actress and activist Geena Davis will return to the Cannes spotlight as host of this year’s amfAR Gala on May 21. The black‑tie benefit—scheduled at the Hôtel du Cap‑Eden‑Roc—brings together pop stars, designers and Hollywood names to raise funds for biomedical research at the close of the Cannes Film Festival.
Who’s performing and why it matters now
The gala’s entertainment lineup now includes pop veterans and rising acts: Robbie Williams, Zara Larsson and Pink Pantheress are set to perform. Their presence helps amplify the event’s core purpose—raising money for medical research into HIV/AIDS—at a moment when philanthropic attention and celebrity platforms can significantly influence public awareness and donor momentum.
amfAR Gala in Cannes to be hosted by Geena Davis
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- Date: May 21, 2026
- Venue: Hôtel du Cap‑Eden‑Roc, Cap d’Antibes
- Host: Geena Davis
- Notable performers: Robbie Williams, Zara Larsson, Pink Pantheress
- Auctioneer: Simon de Pury (live auction of art, luxury goods and rare experiences)
- Fashion show curator: Carine Roitfeld
Fashion, auctions and high‑profile backing
The amfAR Gala has long mixed entertainment with high‑end fundraising. This year’s runway segment, overseen by Carine Roitfeld, will showcase a roster of designers that reads like a who’s who of luxury fashion. The live auction—led by veteran auctioneer Simon de Pury—traditionally draws wealthy collectors and private bidders, turning exclusive pieces and bespoke experiences into major gifts for research.
Confirmed names for the runway include Acne Studios, Alaïa, Dolce & Gabbana (men’s and women’s), Dsquared2, GCDS, Harris Reed, Jacquemus, Jitrois Paris, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci, Prada, The Attico, Tom Ford, Vivienne Westwood, Willy Chavarria and YSL.
Who’s at the table this year
The gala’s chairs list underscores the event’s cross‑industry appeal. Actors, directors, models and industry executives are credited as chairs, signaling broad institutional and celebrity support for amfAR’s work.
- Pedro Almodóvar, Pamela Anderson, Patricia Arquette
- Angela Bassett, Rachel Brosnahan, Olivia Colman
- Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Naomi Watts
- Michelle Yeoh, Jeffrey Wright, Demi Moore and others
Presenting sponsor Chopard leads a slate of commercial supporters that also includes Champagne Telmont, Denza, Gerard Bertrand Wines and RUMOR Rosé. Media partners for the evening are Robb Report and Variety.
Legacy and impact
Since its first Cannes edition in 1993—backed at the time by Elizabeth Taylor—the amfAR Gala has become one of the festival’s most visible philanthropic events. Over the decades it has generated substantial funding for AIDS research; to date, the fundraiser has contributed roughly $314 million to support scientific efforts and clinical initiatives.
That long record matters: large‑scale events like this can accelerate research timelines by underwriting grants and trials that may otherwise struggle for funding. For readers, the gala is a reminder that cultural moments at festivals can translate directly into research dollars, policy attention and, ultimately, medical progress.
Beyond the headline names and runway reveals, the amfAR Gala remains a strategic intersection of celebrity reach and scientific philanthropy—an annual moment when glamour is marshaled for measurable public‑health aims.
