During the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the Better World Fund celebrated its 10th anniversary with a prestigious Gala Dinner on 20 May 2025 at the iconic Carlton Beach Club and Hotel Carlton in Cannes. The event combined glamour, star power and philanthropy, drawing an international crowd of celebrities, cultural figures and elite guests to one of the Mediterranean’s most talked-about gatherings.
A Night of Elegance and Cause
The Better World Fund Gala Dinner has become one of Cannes’s standout philanthropic events — a night where art, cinema and humanitarian purpose intersect against the backdrop of the French Riviera. This edition focused on celebrating a decade of impact through cultural influence and social action, while raising funds for causes such as the Salaam Baalak Trust, a Delhi-based charity supporting street children.
Dress Code and Glamour
Guests arrived in a display of red-carpet elegance, embracing a formal dress code that matched the Carlton’s classic Riviera glamour. Attendees wore haute couture evening gowns, tuxedos and bespoke outfits befitting an evening framed by candlelight and Cannes style. The overall ambience blended refined high fashion with a sense of purpose, as guests mingled before dinner in coastal breezes and sunset light.
Notable fashion moments included strong looks from international attendees such as Keni Silva, who arrived in an ivory and gold haute couture gown, epitomising poise and sophistication, while designer and real-estate figure Mohamed Hadid cut a classic silhouette in a tailored black tuxedo — a symbol of the night’s luxurious but purposeful vibe.
Celebrities and Honorees
The gala’s guest list brought together artists, filmmakers and humanitarian leaders from across the globe. Honorees at the 2025 gala included:
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Kevin Spacey, celebrated for his achievements in film and television.
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Mira Nair, acclaimed filmmaker known for Salaam Bombay! and Monsoon Wedding.
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Nandita Das, Indian actor and director.
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Patrick Doherty, David Wood, Marc Peine, Christian Vosseler, Chiara Tilesi and H.R.H. Prince Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse of Thailand — all recognised for achievements or contributions aligning with the fund’s mission.
Hollywood personalities and cultural figures mingled in a setting that prioritised impactful networking and shared commitment to humanitarian causes.
Atmosphere and Numbers
While exact attendance figures are not publicly released by the organisation, the gala is widely described as intimate but highly visible — bringing together several hundred guests drawn from international cinema, business, philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The 2025 event garnered media coverage in over 50 countries, amplifying its global reach.
The night typically begins with a cocktail reception, followed by a refined sit-down dinner, awards presentation and charity auction. In past editions, the evening’s auction featured high-end lots whose proceeds benefit partner NGOs linked to education, social justice, sustainability or humanitarian relief.
Founders and Organisers
The Better World Fund was founded with the mission of leveraging film and art to inspire positive social change and support humanitarian causes. Its leadership draws on international cultural and philanthropic networks to bring together talent and purpose. The organisation’s programming includes masterclasses, networking meals and gala evenings such as the Cannes dinner, which underpin its strategy of uniting artistic influence with global impact.
The 2025 gala also featured a masterclass session earlier in the day, underlining that the initiative’s work extends beyond a single evening and engages thought leaders from areas such as sustainability, peacebuilding and social innovation.
How to Be Invited and Prices
Attendance at the Better World Fund Gala is ticketed and tiered, with options ranging from standard seats to VIP and elite experiences. Pricing for the 2025 event illustrates the exclusive nature and charitable support embodied by the gala:
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Ambassador seat: approximately 2,400 €.
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Great Patron VIP seat: 3,600 €, offering priority event access, gifts, golden area seating and included lunch.
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Presidential seat: 6,000 €, adding red-carpet access and premium placement near the stage.
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VIP Tables surrounding the Golden Area and presidential table, available at higher price points, with enhanced visibility and networking amenities.
VIP packages often include priority red-carpet arrival, exclusive gifts, location near honorees and participation in related networking events — making them attractive to business leaders, cultural patrons and philanthropy-oriented guests.
Invitation and Elite Experience
Invitations can be secured by:
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Direct ticket purchase through the Better World Fund’s official channels.
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Sponsorship or partnership with the organisation, often available through commercial or philanthropic collaboration.
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Industry and diplomatic networks, including film, fashion, art and NGO sectors that are regularly connected to Better World Fund programming.
Elite ticket holders receive priority access to gala proceedings and related events, alongside opportunities to interact with high-profile guests, honorees and organisers.
Looking Ahead: Better World Fund 2026
The organisation has already announced its 2026 Cannes Gala for Humanity, scheduled for 19 May 2026 at the Carlton Hotel — continuing its tradition of impactful evenings with global visibility. Ticketing details mirror the 2025 structure, with seats starting at roughly 2,400 € and VIP options scaling up with added benefits and red-carpet access.
This continuity underscores the fund’s commitment to combining crescendo moments of glamour with substantive support for international NGOs, creating annual milestones that extend beyond the cinematic celebration into lasting philanthropic engagement.
Conclusion
The Better World Fund Gala Dinner at Carlton Beach Club has evolved into one of Cannes’s most distinctive events that marries luxury, celebrity presence and humanitarian purpose. From its detailed dress code and elegant atmosphere to its strategic mix of celebrity honorees and philanthropic auctions, the gala underlines how cultural influence can be mobilised to support global causes while providing an elite, red-carpet experience at one of the world’s premier film festivals.
