THE 80TH EDITION OF THE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Since 2016, BWF, Better World Fund, a Paris-based non-profit organisation, has been organising prestigious international events and inspiring cultural programmes. This year again, in the sublime Palazzos of the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel and the Misericordia di Venezia, influential individuals from around the world were gathered. As stated by Manuel Collas de La Roche, President and Founder of Better World Fund: “… the BWF edition in Venice will celebrate women, and raise awareness about the place and power of women in the film industry… It is essential to continue supporting and encouraging he involvement of women in all aspects of the film industry in order to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.” During gala evening, which took place on September 8 at La Scuola Grande Della Misericordia, in the presence of Isabelle Huppert, Jeremy Piven, the Soprano Joyce El-Khoury, many celebrities supported this commitment through their attendance, contributing their image to a cause of Women Empowerment in the Image of Maria Callas. Symbolising this theme, Euzhan Palcy, a celebrated filmmaker, has been commemorated for her achievements.
She received an honorary Oscar last November and was recognised as the first Black director to win the Silver Lion at the 1983 Venice Mostra. She further garnered a César Award for Best First Work, a historic achievement for a female and Black director. Recently, she was honoured with Medals of Honor from the Society of Dramatic Arts and Composers in France and the French National Assembly. The Better World Fund supported the Maria Callas Foundation, in honour of her centenary, the mission of which is to search and gather archives from all over the world in order to build a museum collection. Tom Volf, a leading expert on Maria Callas, highlighted the film he has just directed with Monica Bellucci, following the success of his last film “Maria by Callas” in 2017 which became an award-winning documentary and the most-watched French-produced film in the world in 2018. On September 8 at 10am, at La Scuola Grande Della Misericordia, the Better World Fund held a Masterclass Conference titled: “From Script to Screen: Empowering Women in the World of Cinema”. “…The cinema industry … encourage women’s emancipation. This helps to create a more egalitarian and inclusive society …” said Manuel Collas de La Roche, President.
The masterclass moderated Mrs. Elisabeth Moreno, President of Tech-Foundation, Former Minister in charge of Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal opportunities. PANEL: “Empowering Women in the World of Cinema”, was held with the exceptional participation of Nadia Fares, Yasemin Samdereli, Kiera Chaplin, Tarina Patel, Valentina Castellani. Individual Speakers: “Women’s Empowerment”, was held with the gracious participation of Jeremy Piven. Tom Volf, Karine Gros, Lorene Ferrandes and Dr. Solanges Vivens. On the same day, the Gala Dinner took place in the sumptuous hall of La Scuola Grande Della Misericordia with performances by Maria Elena Infantino, an international singer and actress with a unique connection to Maria Callas as the daughter of the tenor Luigi Infantino; Anna Sanachina a dramatic soprano of the great romantic tradition of Italian opera; Daniel Alhaiby, a professional flutist, composer and arranger of unrivalled distinction.
At each edition, the Better World Fund has awarded prizes to individuals committed to social, cultural and environmental causes. For this Venice Edition, Samia Yusuf Omar, posthumously, for her tragic fate, her courage and her fight against discrimination as a Muslim woman taking part in the Olympic Games; Elisabeth Moreno; Jeremy Piven; Euzhan Palcy, the Soprano Joyce El-Khoury and Sindaco Onorevole Cateno De Luca received the Better World Best Achievement and Commitments Awards. Dr. Solanges Vivens received an award presented by Anwar Elkamony as the official Charity Partner of the Better World Fund.
The event was gone about thanks to the precious support of 314 annes Group, NAD Clinic, Homolog, IIWB, Joanna Plafsky, Studio Mao, Squair, Clinique La Prairie, Maia Wine, SDB New Delhi, LUXURY International Magazine, Chic Icon, ParisSaclay University, Paris-Saclay Foundation, Open Culture Foundation, Luxury Limited Edition, Luxury Investment Magazine, Rinascimento Magazine, Celebre Magazine, Fab UK Magazine, United Studio, Culture Focus Magazine, Global Event Magazine, Parole Paris, Breaking-News-Arabia.com, Qatar-Media.tv, Dubai-Media.tv, Breaking-NewsSaudi-Arabia.com, Breaking-News Kingdom-of-Bahrain.com, Opportunitysaudi.com, Opportunity-Mena.com, Opportunity-Europe.com.
The upcoming 2024 Better World Fund editions promise to be rich and inspiring with the following events: TAORMINA, on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of April, under the High Patronage of the Mayor of the City and in association with Quinn Studios Entertainment; the Cannes International Film Festival on the 18th and 19th of May; and the Venice Film Festival during the First Week of September 2024.
