Taika Waititi attends the U.K. premiere of Disney and Pixars' 'Lightyear' in London on June 13, 2022. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK) Taika Waitit has a date with amfAR in Italy.
The Oscar winner has been booked to host the amfAR Venezia gala, set to take place at Molino Stucky on Sept. 6. The nonprofit has previously announced that the fundraiser, which will take place during the Venice Film Festival, will honor artist Marina Abramović and feature a performance by Bebe Rexha. The conceptual and performance artist will be feted with an Award of Inspiration while Rexha is due to hit the stage on the heels of the release of her latest album Dirty Blonde.
“We are so thrilled to have Taika Waititi with us in Venice as host of this year’s event,” said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford. “He has been a steadfast supporter of the fight against AIDS, and amfAR in particular, for many years, and his participation will undoubtedly contribute to the evening’s success. His unwavering commitment to global health and aiding vulnerable communities make him the perfect choice to help raise awareness about the urgent need to support life saving research.”
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Waititi knows what he’s signed on for as the filmmaker and frequent actor has attended the event in years past. He and wife Rita Ora swung by the amfAR Venezia gala in 2023 when it was presented by Mastercard and Red Sea International Film Festival. His hosting gig comes ahead of the release of his newest film, Klara and the Sun, out Oct. 23 and starring Jenna Ortega, Aran Murphy, Mia Tharia, Amy Adams, Simon Baker, Natasha Lyonne and more. He’ll have other duties in Venice, too, as he has an acting role opposite Ellen Burstyn and Murray Bartlett in Kornél Mundroczó’s Place to Be, which is an official festival selection.
As for Abramović, she follows in the footsteps of previous honorees like Antonio Banderas, Richard Gere, Ava DuVernay, Ferzan Özpetek, Achille Boroli, Mohammed Al Turki and Julian Schnabel. The night’s program will also feature cocktails, a black-tie gala dinner and a live auction of contemporary artworks and custom experiences. World Gold Council is a presenting sponsor with additional support coming from Chopard and media partner Variety.
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