Filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi will host amfAR’s Venice gala on Sept. 6, bringing his profile to a high-stakes fundraiser staged during the Venice Film Festival. The event aims to fuse cinematic spotlight with charitable giving — honoring a major figure in contemporary art while raising funds for HIV/AIDS research.
The gala will be held at Molino Stucky on Giudecca and is timed to coincide with the festival’s international attention. amfAR has selected performance artist Marina Abramović for an Award of Inspiration, and pop singer Bebe Rexha is scheduled to perform, fresh off the release of her new album, Dirty Blonde.
amfAR’s leadership described Waititi’s involvement as meaningful because of his long-standing support for the organization and global health initiatives. Organizers say his presence is expected to amplify the evening’s fundraising efforts and media reach.
Waititi is not new to the amfAR circuit; he and his partner Rita Ora attended last year’s Venice gala. This hosting duty arrives as he prepares to release Klara and the Sun on Oct. 23 — a project that expands his profile beyond directing into a broader festival-era presence.
He will also appear on-screen in Kornél Mundruczó’s Place to Be, sharing credits with Ellen Burstyn and Murray Bartlett, a film that is part of the festival lineup. Those dual appearances increase the chance that the gala will draw attention from both industry and international press.
Event essentials
- Date: Sept. 6
- Venue: Molino Stucky, Venice
- Occasion: amfAR Venezia gala, held during the Venice Film Festival
- Honoree: Marina Abramović — Award of Inspiration
- Performance: Bebe Rexha (promoting new album Dirty Blonde)
- Purpose: Fundraising for HIV/AIDS research and global health programs
- Sponsors: World Gold Council (presenting), with support from Chopard and media partner Variety
The evening’s program will include cocktail receptions, a black‑tie dinner and a live auction of contemporary artworks and curated experiences. Such auctions are a traditional revenue source for amfAR, with proceeds directed to medical and scientific research into HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care.
Past amfAR honorees have spanned film directors, actors and artists — a list that has previously included figures like Antonio Banderas, Richard Gere and Ava DuVernay, reflecting the gala’s blend of culture and philanthropy.
Why this matters now: celebrity-hosted galas during major festivals are more than social pages. They concentrate attention — and donors — at a moment when filmmakers, artists and the press are already gathered. For amfAR, that means a sharper platform to publicize ongoing research needs and mobilize new supporters.
With Waititi’s dual role as host and festival participant, the gala is likely to draw heightened coverage. That visibility can translate into increased funding for life‑saving studies and help sustain programs that target vulnerable communities worldwide.
