Logo Better World Fund

Better World Fund

2026 program

18th may 2026
Cannes Film Festival
Executive Summary
Cinema & Art at the Service of Humanity
Women’s Rights • GENDER EQUALITY • Education

A Common Mission

The Better World Fund is extending an earnest call to all partners, urging them to join forces in championing crucial causes that resonate with the pressing issues of our world today.

Together, we can amplify our efforts to raise awareness and make a lasting impact on the most significant challenges facing our global community. By uniting our strengths and resources, we aim to foster a collective commitment to building a better world for tomorrow. The power of collaboration is unparalleled, and through this united front, we can pave the way for positive change, leaving an indelible mark on the future of our shared humanity.

Join us in this vital endeavor as we strive to create a world that embodies compassion, equality, and sustainability for generations to come.

Institutional Partners

Manuel Collas de La Roche

President & Founder

"The better world to which we all aspire is now within our reach. Deeply humanitarian, I am convinced that together we can move mountains by providing concrete solutions to tomorrow's challenges.

In 2016, driven by the desire to take part in this movement of awareness, I launched the Better World Fund.

Yes, there is hope.

Everywhere in the world, women and men are creating, innovating, and taking action for social inequalities and education. The Better World Fund’s ambition is to highlight and financially support these actions that give hope. The power of cinema and art seemed to me an obvious way to raise awareness and inspire global world citizens to act for the future of our planet."

The official venue for all Better World Fund Cannes 2026 events.

COPAL BEACH

Cannes

Country of Honor
Egypt

Program

May 18, 2026 – Copal Beach

During the Cannes Film Festival

Forum

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Education & AI

What legacy are we leaving to future generations?

How AI is transforming the way childhood is represented, protected, and imagined in everyday life and in cinema.

Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Copal Beach

Access is restricted to Golden Badge holders and members of the official delegation.

Gala for Humanity

7:30 PM – 12:00 AM

Red Carpet
Charity Auction
Better World Awards
Concerts
DJ party from midnight to 1:30 a.m.

Booking
in association with The Hope Giver Campaign
ANWAR EL-KAMOUNI

Anwar El-Kamony, founder of the Hope Giver Campaign, is the first athlete to achieve an international tennis ranking after a bone marrow transplant operation, a book author and speaker. He has been honored by many cancer and educational organizations in Egypt and abroad.

Now he continues to inspire millions through his initiative the worldwide campaign "Hope Giver" aiming to spread hope and inspired by his own story of overcoming adversity.

Through this event BWF is supporting
Ai Nas Hospital in Cairo

Al Nas is a new charitable hospital for children located in the very densely populated Shubra El Kheima area, north of Cairo, in Qalyubia governorate, one of the largest area and population governorates of the Greater Republic.

Under the leadership of CEO Ayman Abbas, this hospital is considered one of the largest distinguished medical centers in the Arab region and Africa, with a capacity reaching about 600 beds. It should be noted that the hospital’s five buildings have been completely completed in terms of construction, finishing, and equipping on an area of 30,000 m² containing, in addition to the new services building, the following:

557 hospital beds
10 operations rooms
140 intensive care units
4 cardiac catheterization units
48 outpatient clinics

This hospital is proud to serve all patients for free as of September 2019, as it started its activities and services in the children's heart diseases building first, as these diseases cause the death of nearly half of all deaths from all diseases in Egypt. In addition, there are long waiting lists for these surgeries.

These services are 100% free according to the best and latest standards and technologies. After we succeeded in attracting the best professional cadres of doctors, specialists, nursing teams, and technicians necessary to work in this hospital equipped with the latest medical equipment, under the guidance of CEO Ayman Abbas.

Through this event BWF is supporting
The Women's Refugee Commission (WRC)

The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) works to protect and empower refugee and migrantwomen and girls around the world. For more than 35 years, WRC has partnered with displacedcommunities to ensure that women and girls are safe, healthy, and able to shape their futures. We center their voices and leadership, advocate for policies that uphold their rights, and promotepractical solutions that strengthen their self-reliance.

WRC is widely recognized by UN agencies, governments, and humanitarian organizations for itsexpertise, principled approach, and measurable impact.

Today, our work is more urgent than ever. Sweeping policy changes and major funding cuts by theUnited States and other governments are triggering a global humanitarian crisis. Critical programsare closing, asylum pathways are shrinking, and essential protections for displaced women and girlsare disappearing—leaving many exposed to exploitation, abuse, and neglect.

WRC is the only organization dedicated to tracking these impacts and advancing solutions thatprotect and empower women and girls in displacement, in the United States and worldwide. By shining a light on this crisis and advocating for effective, evidence-based responses, WRC works toensure that displaced women and girls have the support, resources, and opportunities

Artificial Intelligence & Our Youth
What legacy are we leaving to future generations?

How AI is transforming the way childhood is represented, protected, and imagined in everyday life and in cinema.

We will examine how to collectively invest into our children to help shape their values so that they may become our future leaders. In an unimagined world of Artificial Intelligence, instability of oversight and unethical abuses of power, it's easy to overlook our most precious resource, the future minds of our youth. 

Better World Fund asks the question: How does Artificial Intelligence (AI) play a role in shaping the minds of our children? 

Private Auctions

In support of our partner charities

Auction categories include:

Artworks
Luxury Experiences
Travel Experiences

Conducted with Tessier Sarrou and Artlys Patrimoine.

Better World Awards

Awards for Commitments, Engagements & Achievements

Best Commitment Award

Honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to a specific cause.

Beneficiaries:

  • S.A.S Prince Albert II of Monaco
  • Hon. Senator Simon Stiell
  • Chief Raoni
  • David Lynch
  • Arisa
  • Patrick Doherty
  • Jeremy Piven
  • Keni Silva
  • Elisabeth Moreno,
    Former Minister French Government
  • H.E Eliza Reid,
    First Lady of Iceland
  • Kevin Costner
  • Catherine Deneuve
  • Enzo Di Taranto
  • Natalia Kholodenko
  • Pavel Kir

Best Achievement Award

Rewards concrete actions taken as part of social and humanitarian initiatives.

Beneficiaries:

  • Mary J Blidge
  • Joanna Plafsky
  • Euzhan Palcy
  • Dr Tani Al Zeyoudi,
    Former Minister of Environment UAE
  • Nadine Labaki
  • Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil
  • Euzhan Palcy
  • Susan Sarandon
  • H.E Tamara Vučić, First Lady of Serbia
  • Isabelle Huppert
  • H.R.H Vacharaesorn Vivachara-wongse
  • Mark Peine & Christian Vosseler
  • David Wood
  • Carmen Maura
  • Higher Committee of Human Fraternity
  • Elvira Paterson

Best Engagement Award

Recognizes people who have engaged, inspired, and mobilized for a cause.

Beneficiaries:

  • H.E Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Ivory Coast
  • H.E Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi
  • Kevin Spacey
  • Amruta Fadnavis
  • Lang Lang
  • Sharon Stone
  • Mira Nair
  • Nandita Das
  • Chiara Tilesi

Better World Awards

Kevin Costner

S.A.S Prince Albert II of Monaco

H.E. Eliza Reid
— First Lady of Iceland

Mohamed Abou El Enein
— Deputy Speaker of the House
      Egypt

Sharon Stone

H.E. Tamara Vučić
— First Lady of Serbia

H.E. Dominique Ouattara
— First Lady of Ivory Coast

Kevin Spacey

Susan Sarandon

Mira Nair

Nandita Das

Keni Silva

The Better World Awards

created by the Italian artist Dante Mortet

Dante Mortet, a fifth-generation master chaser from a historic Roman workshop, creates "inner portraits" of cinema’s greatest figures. By molding original casts into bronze sculptures, Mortet captures more than just physical gestures; he captures the emotion and identity of the artist. Each piece is born from a personal dialogue, translated into bronze through intricate details—a crease, a tension, or a symbolic object—that reflect the subject's soul.

This exhibition highlights iconic figures Mortet has immortalized in person: Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Anjelica Huston, Kirk Douglas, Ennio Morricone, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kurt Russell, and Quentin Tarantino. These are the hands that have directed, performed, and composed; the hands that have built entire worlds.

Beyond these leading figures, Mortet’s collection serves as an atlas of contemporary cinema, featuring Dustin Hoffman, Tim Roth, Walton Goggins, Kevin Spacey, Michael Madsen, Samuel L. Jackson, and Bruce Dern. This "bronze firmament" offers a fresh perspective on these personalities through the deeply Italian language of sculpture.

Rooted in tradition but speaking to the future, Mortet’s craft-driven approach ensures these iconic gestures become eternal witnesses of our creative era. His work, celebrated for its passion and technical mastery, is now featured in prestigious international collections and institutions worldwide.

Hands of Personalities
Sculpted by Dante Mortet

Robert De Niro
Martin Scorsese
Dustin Hoffman
Quentin Tarantino
Samuel L. Jackson
Kurt Russell
Bruce Dern
Tim Roth
Walton Goggins
Lou Ferrigno
Oprah Winfrey
Frankie Valli
Kirk Douglas
Anjelica Huston

Jennifer Jason Leigh
Ennio Morricone
Kevin Spacey
Andrea Bocelli
Pelé
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Javier Zanetti
Thiago Silva
Hugo Sánchez
Julio César
Didier Drogba
Edinson Cavani
Patrick Doherty
Keni Silva

Media Coverage in Over 53 countries

WRITTEN PRESS, TELEVISION, RADIO, LIVESTREAM

The Better World Fund relies on an extensive network of international and regional media partners to increase its visibility and impact in the press. These strategic collaborations enable the organisation to promote its messages and initiatives on a global scale, ensuring extensive coverage across multiple platforms and audiences.

Through this increased media presence, the Better World Fund effectively raises public awareness, engages a wider audience and generates vital support for its mission.

Proof of Concept

From 2016 to 2024

Supported Foundations & Charities

The Better World Fund has truly illuminated the global stage through its programs, leaving an indelible mark on some of the most prestigious events across the world. From the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, where luminaries such as Sharon Stone, Juliette Binoche or Leonardo DiCaprio lent their support, to the enchanting Venice Film Festival, graced by the presence of icons like Catherine Deneuve, Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Isabelle Huppert, the Fund has consistently shone a light on important causes.

Its impact has resonated far and wide, through these influential gatherings, the Better World Fund has harnessed the power of collaboration, sparking a global conversation about building a more sustainable future. Since its inception, the Better World Fund has aided and raised awareness for several foundations on a global scale, including :

From 2016 to 2025

Cannes Film Festival 2016
Denis Mukwege Foundation, under the High Patronage of UNESCO

Cannes Film Festival 2017
Safe World Peace Foundation

Cannes Film Festival 2018
Wheeling Around the World Foundation

Monaco 2018
Cousteau Society, under the High Patronage of H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco

Cairo 2019
The Environment, the Oceans and Women's empowerment

Cannes Film Festival 2019
Green Cross France & Territories

New York City 2019
The Amazon supporting Chief Raoni

Venice Film Festival 2020
Al Amal by Dr. Amani Ballour (Roi Baudouin Foundation)

Cannes Film Festival in 2021
René Moawad Foundation

Dubai World Expo 2020 (March 2021)
The Sea Cleaners, under the High Patronage of the French Embassy in United Arab Emirates

Dubai World Expo 2020 (December 2021)
Dubai Cares, under the High Patronage of the French Embassy in United Arab Emirates

Cannes Film Festival 2022
Virtuosa Foundation for Ukranian children

Venice Film Festival 2022
The David Lynch Foundation

Cannes Film Festival 2023
The Amazonia Fund Alliance & the Akbaraly Foundation

Venice Film Festival 2023
The Maria Callas Foundation

Cairo 2023
The Hope Giver Campaign by Anwar Elkamony to benefit the Baheya Foundation

Paris 2023
The Chair for Disability and Occupational Health

Cannes Film Festival in 2024
Lang Lang International Music Foundation

Cairo 2024
The Hope Giver Campaign

Venice Film Festival 2024
Fondazione Donà dalle Rose

Cannes 2025
Salaam Baalak Trust

Cairo 2025
The Hope Giver Campaign

Venice 2025
NGO La Princesse Murat

Board of Directors

MANUEL COLLAS DE LA ROCHE
President & Founder
STEPHEN MAO
VP Investor Relations
GILLES MUZAS
Secretary general
Elizabeth Platt
Education
VALENTINACASTELLANI-QUINN
Executive Producer
VP Head of VIP Relations
Marlon Martinez gerena
Assistant of Manuel Collas de La Roche