Taika Waititi to Host amfAR Venezia Gala
Taika Waititi has been announced as host of the amfAR Venezia gala, one of the highlight fundraising events tied to the Venice Film Festival. The event, taking place at the Molino Stucky venue on 6 September, supports HIV/AIDS research and will honour artist Marina Abramović with an Award of Inspiration, alongside a performance from singer Bebe Rexha.
amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford praised Waititi as a long-standing supporter of the charity's work, noting his commitment made him a fitting choice to raise awareness for the cause. Waititi previously attended the gala in 2023 with his wife Rita Ora, and this year's hosting duties come alongside a busy Venice schedule for him, including promotion of his upcoming film Klara and the Sun and an acting role in Kornél Mundruczó's festival selection Place to Be. The evening will also feature a black-tie dinner, cocktails and a live art auction, with World Gold Council as presenting sponsor.
- Taika Waititi to host amfAR's Venice gala on 6 September 2026
- Event honours Marina Abramović, features Bebe Rexha performance
- Fundraiser supports HIV/AIDS research during the Venice Film Festival
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Waititi is a New Zealand filmmaker and actor best known for Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok and What We Do in the Shadows, and he has been active on the awards and festival circuit in recent years, including previous appearances at Venice-linked events. amfAR is the Foundation for AIDS Research, a charity that funds HIV/AIDS research, and its annual Venezia gala is one of several high-profile fundraising events it holds around major film festivals, drawing celebrities to raise money and awareness through auctions, performances and honorary awards.
This year's gala takes place during the Venice Film Festival, a major annual event on the international film calendar that also brings together premieres, press coverage and industry deals. The gala will honour artist Marina Abramović, known for her work in performance art, and include a performance by singer Bebe Rexha, alongside a dinner and auction to raise funds for the charity's cause.
The story matters because it links a well-known entertainment figure to a charitable cause with real-world stakes in medical research funding, while also reflecting how film festivals like Venice serve as a backdrop for celebrity philanthropy and cultural events beyond the films themselves.