amfAR Gala at Cannes raises funds for AIDS research

The annual amfAR Gala, a major fundraiser for AIDS research, drew celebrities and philanthropists to the French Riviera on Thursday, marking a highlight of the Cannes Film Festival's final week. The event was held at the exclusive Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, with actress Geena Davis serving as host and performances expected from artists including Robbie Williams, Lizzo, and Zara Larsson.

Access to the venue required a special car pass, with vehicles navigating narrow coastal roads before queuing to drop guests at the hotel's famous gates. Upon arrival, attendees received wristbands with assigned table numbers before proceeding to a red carpet where celebrities and guests posed together. The evening began with cocktails and canapés served on a lawn overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as the sun set.

A central feature of the gala is its live auction, which has raised significant funds for amfAR's programs since the charity's founding in 1985. This year's auction items included a walk-on role in the upcoming season of "Emily in Paris," a seven-day Arctic expedition, and artwork by Tracey Emin and Andy Warhol. The event has historically featured high-value lots; last year, a...