Since 2016, BWF, Better World Fund, a Paris-based non-profit organization, has been organizing prestigious international events and inspiring cultural programs through concrete actions. This year again, in the sublime Palazzos of the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel and the Misericordia di Venezia, influential individuals from around the world will be gathered, driven by the desire to positively influence the future of our society.
As stated by Manuel Collas de la Roche, President and Founder of Better World Fund: “In the heart of the magic of La Mostra, the BWF edition in Venice will celebrate women, and raise awareness about the place and power of women in the film industry. Today, we are convinced that the cinema industry holds a statutory role as a vector of social, educational and environmental values. It is therefore essential to continue supporting and encouraging the involvement of women in all aspects of the film industry in order to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.”
Special Appearances
During our gala evening, taking place on September 8th at La Scuola Grande Della Misericordia, in the presence of Isabelle Huppert, Jeremy Piven and Rossy de Palma, many celebrities will support our commitment through their attendance, contributing their image to a cause that engages us all: Women Empowerment in the Image of Maria Callas.
Symbolising our theme, Euzhan Palcy, a celebrated filmmaker, is being commemorated for her achievements. She received an honorary Oscar last November and was recognized 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. Palcy’s work has inspired filmmakers, artists, and writers. Recently, she was honored with Medals of Honor from the Society of Dramatic Arts and Composers in France and the French National Assembly.
« Thanks to the generosity of our partners and participants, we are proud to have helped numerous nonprofit organizations and foundations during our successful programs and events. From the Cannes Film Festival, to the Venice Film Festival, Los Angeles, Toronto, Monaco, Cairo, New York, Saudi Arabia and Expo 2020 in Dubai.» Manuel Collas de la Roche, President.
For this edition, with the underlying mission of “Women’s Empowerment”, the Better World Fund will be supporting the Maria Callas Foundation, in honor of her centenary, as the incredible artist symbolizes a woman empowered by her talent and hard work. By collecting archives from all over the world, including private collections and donations, the Foundation’s mission is to search and gather these archives in order to build a museum collection.
Tom Volf, a leading expert on Maria Callas, will be highlighting 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 mostwatched French-produced film in the world in 2018.
Manuel Collas de la Roche, adds : “We are deeply honored to have the renowned French actress, Isabelle Huppert, in attendance, an admirer of the charismatic and exceptional work of Maria Callas. Forty years after her death, Maria Callas continues to inspire love and fascination.”
On September 8th at 10:00 am, at La Scuola Grande Della Misericordia, the Better World Fund will hold a Masterclass Conference titled: “From Script to Screen: Empowering Women in the World of Cinema”. “ By giving women more varied and complex roles, the cinema industry offers positive role models who challenge traditional expectations and encourage women’s emancipation. This helps to create a more egalitarian and inclusive society by showing audiences that women can succeed in all domains of life whilst have a significant impact.” said Manuel Collas de la Roche, President.
We are honored to welcome Mrs. Elisabeth Moreno, President of Tech-Foundation, Former Minister in charge of Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal opportunities, who will be moderating the masterclass.
Beside her, influential women and experts in their fields, who are working for the place, protection and equality of women in our society, will be debating with the audience.
PANEL : “Empowering Women in the World of Cinema”, with the exceptional participation of: Rossy de Palma, Nadia Fares, Yasemin Samdereli, Kiera Chaplin, Tarina Petel, Valentina Castellani, Euzhan Palcy.
Individual Speakers : Empowering Women in the World of Business & Philanthropy, with the expert support of: Dr. Solanges Vivens, Karine Gros and Lorène Ferrandès.
On the same day, the gala dinner will take place in the sumptuous hall of La Scuola Grande Della Misericordia and will feature a rich artistic program 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; Daniel Alhaiby, a professional flutist, composer and arranger of unrivalled distinction; followed by an award ceremony and an auction, orchestrated by Julien-Vincent Brunie, International Director and auctioneer at Christie’s.
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 and Sindaco Onorevole Cateno De Luca will receive the Better World Best Achievement and Commitments Awards. Dr. Solanges Vivens will receive an award presented by Anwar Elkamony as the official Charity Partner of the Better World Fund.
The Better World Fund program :
Thursday September 7th, at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel :
• 07.00 pm : Welcome Cocktail Reception.
> Friday September 8th, at Scuola Grande Della Misericordia :
• 10.00 am : Masterclass.
• 07.30 pm : Cocktail Reception and Red Carpet.
• 08.30 pm : Sumptuous Better World Fund Gala Dinner and entertainment.
• 10.00 pm : Awards Ceremony and Auction.
The event is held thanks to the precious support of 314 Cannes 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.