THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 79TH ANNUAL CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
​

The Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) - made of 24-carat Gold. Cannes Film Festival. © Chopard Golden Palm trophy. 

“To all of you who are trying to resist, here and elsewhere. Good evening and welcome!” - It was with these words, between stress and joy, that French actress Eye Haïdara stepped onto the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière in Cannes this evening, electrifying the Opening Ceremony of the 79th Festival de Cannes with her energy and generosity.


Soon joined musically by violinist Miri Ben-Ari, the Mistress of Ceremonies quoted Godard: “We don’t make a film to be cautious.” She paid tribute to those who choose to film what we would rather not see. Those who, through their films, remind us that life is precious. All life. The hero’s and the anonymous one’s. The powerful’s and the invisible’s. Those who also choose to make us laugh, because laughter is a form of courage that is always slightly underestimated.
Another tribute, and above all a declaration of love to cinema: “Because these stories that resonate within us, deep in our chest, alone sketch out all of humanity. Because they say: look, this is how we live here. This is what we feel here. This is what we hope for here. Because nothing has been found better than two hours in the dark to learn how to watch and listen to others in full light.”
A perfect speech to invite onto the stage the eight exemplary film lovers who make up this year’s Jury of the Longs Métrages. American actress and producer Demi Moore, Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga, Belgian director and screenwriter Laura Wandel, Chinese director and screenwriter Chloé Zhao, Chilean director and screenwriter Diego Céspedes, Ivorian-American actor Isaach De Bankolé, Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty, and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård.


Finally, South Korean director, screenwriter and producer Park Chan-wook, who presides over this international jury—the one who turned revenge into an art form, violence into poetry, Korean cinema into our obsession, and who owes us a few sleepless nights…
Then it was the turn of actor Elijah Wood (a.k.a. Frodo) to pay tribute to his longtime friend, the New Zealand director Peter Jackson, with whom he has shot more than nine hours of film.
The honour continued in music, with Theodora and Oklou performing a cover of The Beatles’ Get Back, a nod to Jackson’s documentary series The Beatles: Get Back.
Finally, to close the ceremony and launch twelve days of screenings for this 79th edition, two actresses took the stage: Gong Li and Jane Fonda. One from the East, the other from the West, the Chinese and the American joined voices to call for the celebration of “boldness, freedom, and the fierce act of creation,” officially declaring the 79th Festival de Cannes: “Open!”

​Art at the Service of Humanity.
For Women’s Rights – Gender Equality – Education


The Better World Fund will once again take center stage during the Cannes Film Festival with its highly anticipated Gala for Humanity on May 18, 2026, at Copal Beach on the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette.
Bringing together influential figures from cinema, philanthropy, diplomacy, and innovation, the evening continues the fund’s mission of leveraging art and culture as catalysts for meaningful global change. A major highlight will be the presence of Sharon Stone, the internationally acclaimed actress,
humanitarian, and global advocate, who will receive the Best Engagement Award in recognition of her
remarkable cultural influence and longstanding commitment to humanitarian causes.

Held under the high patronage of Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of H.E. Tarek
Dahroug, Egypt’s Ambassador to France, and his spouse, Alia El-Sirafi, this year’s edition honors Egypt,
celebrating its rich cultural legacy and global influence. The event is presented in association with The Hope Giver Campaign by Anwar Elkamony, further reinforcing its commitment to impactful humanitarian initiatives.

“We believe that the film industry today has an essential role to play as a vehicle for social, educational, and environmental values. Raising awareness is a vital pillar of the art form, as is the need to give greater visibility to powerful and engaging films driven by the desire to create a positive impact on the world,” - comments Manuel Collas de la Roche, President and Founder of the Better World Fund.

A Legacy of Honoring Impact

Over the years, the Better World Fund has recognized an extraordinary roster of global figures. Previous
honorees in attendance have included Hollywood icons such as Susan Sarandon, Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, and David Lynch, alongside renowned
activists, business leaders, philanthropists, ambassadors, and members of royal families.

An Evening of Purpose and Prestige

The Better World Fund’s Gala for Humanity, taking place from 8 PM to 1 AM, will celebrate the legacy of Egyptian director Youssef Chahine on the 100th anniversary of his birth, with an evening defined by purpose and prestige. The event will open with a red-carpet reception, followed by a charity dinner, artistic performances, and the presentation of the Better World Awards, alongside a special tribute to the iconic filmmaker.

A private charity auction featuring artworks, luxury experiences, and exclusive travel opportunities, conducted in collaboration with Tessier Sarrou and Artlys Patrimoine, will raise funds for key initiatives
supported by the Fund: Al Nas Hospital in Cairo, dedicated to pediatric healthcare; and Women’s Refugee Commission, the pioneering New York-based organization that protects and empowers displaced women and children around the world, transforming humanitarian policy and practice to prioritize refugee self-reliance. The gala will also feature a special musical program with performances by Egyptian soprano and opera singer Amira Selim. Multi-platinum vocalist Abi Flynn will also headline the event.
Flynn is a British singer-songwriter and multi-platinum vocalist whose journey is defined by resilience, strength, and the courage to step fully into her own power. With UK Top 40 success, a #1 on the U.S. Billboard charts, and major global releases alongside artists including Tinie Tempah, Joel Corry, and Nathan Dawe, she has become one of the most sought-after voices in contemporary dance music.

Highlights of the evening will include a speech by Dr. Gihane Zaki, in the presence of Egyptian celebrities including Laila Elwi, Hany Salama, and Yara Elsokkary, alongside esteemed guest, Iranian actress Mahnaz Afshar.
The evening will honor a distinguished group of figures from cinema, culture, diplomacy, and social impact through the Better World Awards, created by Dante Mortet. The Best Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Olga Kurylenko, the Ukrainian-French actress recognized for her involvement in Don’t Give Up!, which will be showcased in Cannes on May 17. The same award will also honor H.E. Dr. Tarek Dahroug, Egypt’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, as well as Nandana Dev Sen, the prize-winning actor, author, child-rights activist, and Director of the Women’s Refugee Commission. The Best Commitment Award will recognize Aurelia Khazan, French actress and singer; Beth Powell, a Jamaican-born airline captain, aviation leader, and emerging filmmaker; and Khen Thanh Nhat, film producer. Stephen Mao, American film producer, will receive the Cultural Ambassador Award 2026.

A second Best Engagement Award will be awarded to Vialina Lemann, an international model and former rhythmic gymnast born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After beginning her runway career in Kazakhstan, she went on to walk during Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. Committed to girls’ education, the support of deaf and mute children, and women’s rights, she has transformed her singular journey into a source of strength. Featured on the covers of Elle, L’Officiel, Grazia, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Numéro, she is emerging as one of the new fashion figures between Paris and Milan.

Beyond the Gala: A Platform for Dialogue

Just before the gala, the Better World Fund will convene global leaders, policymakers, artists, and innovators for a high-level masterclass on May 18, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Copal Beach. Structured around three sessions: “Women Empowerment in Diplomacy,” “Stories, Scripts, Screens: Can We Sculpt a Better World through Cinema?”, and “Artificial Intelligence for a Better World,” the program will examine how diplomacy, cinema, and technology can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future. The discussions will address the role of artificial intelligence across education, sustainability, film, and global development, while placing women’s empowerment, gender equality, and the future of education at the center of the conversation. Key themes will include the legacy of AI for future generations, as well as its impact on storytelling, culture, and society.
The “Women Empowerment in Diplomacy” session will be moderated by UNESCO Artist for Peace and Femina Pax initiator Guila Clara Kessous. The panel “Artificial Intelligence for a Better World” will be led by Enzo Di Taranto, President of XZEN Technologies, with Ehsan Adouane representing a new generation of AI educators and innovators.

The program will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and panelists, including H.E. Rania Al- Mashat, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Egypt; H.E. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt; H.E. Ghada Zaki, Minister of Culture of Egypt; H.E. Tarek Dahroug, Egypt’s Ambassador to France, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, former Egyptian Minister and UNESCO leader; DR. Daniel Pompa; H.R.H. Princess Béatrice de Bourbon des Deux Siciles; Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former French Minister and senior advisor; Anwar Elkamony, CEO of The Hope Giver Campaign; Dr. David Dupree, health and wellness expert, as well as Alia Elhabrdy and Nada Abdel Salam. The cinema-focused session, “Stories, Scripts, Screens: Can We Sculpt a Better World through Cinema?”, moderated by Valentina Castellani Quinn, will bring together, Matt Hookings, CEO of Camelot Film; Alain Mamou-Mani; Barry Alexander Brown; Beth Powell; Riccardo Romani; Luce Cardinale; Jihan K; Ariel Lavi, and Nandana Sen to explore how film can help shape a safer, fairer, and more welcoming world.
Together, these sessions reflect the Better World Fund’s mission to foster dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, using culture, technology, diplomacy, and cinema as catalysts for a more inclusive and forward-looking future.

World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival - Don’t Give Up!

The documentary Don’t Give Up! will have its world premiere during the Better World Fund event, in partnership with Thalie Paris, represented by Nathalie Dionne, and in the presence of Olga Kurylenko and Jules Errard. Filmed over 10 years through encounters with 100 Guardian Angels of the planet around the world, the documentary follows a new generation of committed individuals and raises a fundamental question: how can awareness be transformed into action? More than a film, Don’t Give Up! also marks the launch of The Reserve, an international initiative dedicated to preserving natural lands and creating spaces of learning for future generations. The world premiere stands as a key moment at the crossroads of cinema, impact, and action, bringing together artists, changemakers, and international partners.

The Better World Fund is taking place with its partners: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt; the Embassy of Egypt in Paris; EgyptAir, A Star Alliance Member; Al Nas Hospital Cairo; the Women’s Refugee Commission; Casino Partouche Cannes 50 Croisette; Thalie Paris; RJC Project Management LLC; A Pinch of Soul; Studio Mao; L. Raphaël; La Prairie Switzerland; Dante Mortet; Adalgisa Conte of Travel Setter Italy; Anwar El Kamouni and The Hope Giver Campaign; Camelot Films; Christian of Roma; NGO La Princesse Murat; ENIF Makeup Academy; Sting and Il Palagio Vineyard; Tony Sasa; RepoStage magazine; Joanna Plafsky; Maison Gabrielle; Maia Wine; Oorvi Desai London; Artesia Artlys Patrimoine; EgyptAir; Dr. IVY London; SANCTA CRUX Wine; Breaking News Arabia; JEWLSCPH by Mai Manniche; La Giuva; SANTÉ; Amal Ameen Beauty; Christophe Romo of Leganovo; Anastasija Atanasovska; Julien Spiewak; and NAKHLA Jewellery.

By Nermin  A., Editor Moralmoda

Venice, Italy - As part of the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia, Bvlgari is ringing in the Biennale Arte 2026 as an exclusive partner, with two art initiatives: In the newly designed Bvlgari Pavilion in the Giardini, the Canadian artist Lotus L. Kang will show a site-specific installation. At the same time, the Fondazione Bvlgari is presenting its first own exhibition at the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana with works by Lara Favaretto and Monia Ben Hamouda. Both artists have been honoured with important awards – Hamouda as winner of the MAXXI Bvlgari Prize, Favaretto as winner of the Premio Italia Arte Contemporanea and multiple Biennale participant.

​"For Bvlgari, this partnership is a natural and forward-looking extension of our long-standing commitment to the arts, with a particular focus on contemporary expression. As an exclusive partner, we are proud to contribute to an environment where visitors, artists and curators can come together, engage in dialogue and jointly shape the culture of the future," explains Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bvlgari.

Read also Ambani family at the Indian pavilion in Venice, by Isabel J. - Moralmoda Magazine
Source: www.bvlgari.com
Image credits: Artwork Lara Favaretto © T-Space, Artwork Lotus L. Kang © Andrea Rossetti. Fragments of Fire Worship (Monia Ben Hamouda) © Fondazione Bvlgari

Bvlgari is ringing in the Biennale Arte 2026 - Moralmoda Magazine

​Sophia Al-Maria, Tom Eccles, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Tarek Atoui, Ruba Katrib in Venice - By Isabel J. for Moralmoda Magazine

Selected online issues 2018 - 2025 - Digital magazine version by Moralmoda Magazine | READ MORE
​

● Tenor Jonathan Tetelman and Soprano Serena Sáenz honored as Next Generation Artist
● Award ceremony on May 14, 2026, at Tivoli Concert Hall with the Tivoli Copenhagen Philharmonic under the baton of Dmitry Matvienko.

By Isabel Jiménez

The Danish Research Foundation announces the launch of the Daphne Awards – a new significant international prize that places music and science on equal terms. The awards celebrate music not only as a cornerstone of human culture but as a transformative force that shapes the brain, the body, and society itself. With this vision in mind, the board strives to honor artists at the height of their career: internationally acclaimed musicians who have had a lasting impact within their respective field but also look to shape the future of classical music for many years to come.

The inaugural Daphne Music Award – endowed with €650,000 – will be presented to pianist Lang Lang, one of the most influential artists of our time. In addition, Jonathan Tetelman and Serena Sáenz will be honored with the €100,000 endowed Next Generation Award recognized for their vocal brilliance and artistic presence. The ceremony will take place on May 14, 2026, at Tivoli Concert Hall, featuring the Tivoli Copenhagen Philharmonic conducted by Dmitry Matvienko.

Official statement from the Danish Research Foundation, “With the Daphne Awards, we aim to highlight the role of music as a universal language - one that expresses ideas and emotions in ways that words alone cannot. At the same time, we want to acknowledge the artists and researchers who deepen our understanding of this language and make its value visible. The strength of a society is not measured by its wealth, but by the choices it makes in challenging times. Supporting culture and science means supporting empathy, reflection and the long-term resilience of our communities.”

First award uniting music and science

The Daphne Awards are the first prizes to acknowledge that music and science together shape the human experience, honoring musicians whose artistry not only moves audiences but also advances our understanding of how music influences the mind, the body, and the very fabric of society.

“In medical research and clinical care, music has shown a remarkable capacity to ease anxiety, support emotional balance and stimulate memory. Yet beyond therapy, music and science together embody two complementary ways of understanding the human condition: one through reason, the other through resonance. In an age of growing fragmentation, sustaining both is not a privilege but a necessity. Without science we lose understanding; without culture, we lose ourselves.” – Peter Lodahl, Spokesman of the Daphne Awards.

Starting in 2027, the Daphne Awards will introduce a science prize in addition to the music prize. The award winners The Danish Research Foundation selected pianist Lang Lang as the inaugural Daphne Award laureate, recognizing his exceptional artistic presence and his dedication to the social dimensions of music. “Through his exceptional artistry and charismatic presence, Lang Lang has introduced classical music to a broad and diverse audience, inspiring interest and curiosity far beyond traditional circles. Through the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and its initiatives such as Music Heals and Keys of Inspiration, he has shown how music can broaden opportunities, nurture creativity and support strong, engaged communities.” – Joint statement from the board of the Danish Research Foundation

Soprano Serena Sáenz and tenor Jonathan Tetelman will each be honoured with the Daphne Next Generation Awards. Praised for his expressive voice and emotional intensity, Jonathan Tetelman has rapidly become one of the most in demand tenors of his generation. Serena Sáenz, acclaimed for her radiant timbre and technical brilliance, is one of the most exciting emerging sopranos on the international opera stage.

The Danish Research Foundation, founded in 1992 by Dr. Bente Juel Riis Christiansen, MD and Dr. Claus Christiansen, MD, is a driving force in advancing clinical and basic research, nurturing scientific talent and supporting Denmark’s cultural and charitable development. In the past, the Foundation has distributed over 35 million Euro in grants to support scientific, cultural, and charitable initiatives. Through this dual commitment to science and culture, the Danish Research Foundation aims to foster a well-rounded, enlightened, and culturally vibrant society, where innovation and creativity go hand in hand. The Daphne Awards mark the culmination of its mission to foster dialogue between creativity and knowledge – between music and the human mind. For the Daphne Awards, the Danish Research Foundation commissioned the Copenhagen-based visual artist Sif Itona Westerberg to design the award sculpture. Her artistic language, inspired by the modern relationship between nature and humanity, perfectly embodies the prizes’ aim to build bridges between science and music.
Further details about the Daphne Award online here: www.daphneawards.org
​More information about the Danish Research Foundation Tickets for the gala are now on sale here: Tivoli Instagram: @daphne_awards