The Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) will present the third annual Cinema Against Aids Dubai gala on December 10, to raise funds for amfAR, the Foundation for Aids Research.

The gala, one of amfAR's international film festival circuit events, has raised Dh17.6 million in its past two editions in Dubai, more than one-tenth of the total of approximately $48m (Dh176m) raised by Cinema Against Aids galas globally since 1993. The funds support amfAR's activities focused on Aids research, HIV prevention, treatment, education and the advocacy of sound Aids-related public policy.

Shivani Pandya, Managing Director, Diff, said the success of Cinema Against Aids Dubai galas highlight the power of cinema in bringing together people for worthy causes. "It also puts the spotlight on Dubai, home to powerful charitable initiatives such as Dubai Cares," she said.

This year's event will feature a live auction with several unique and exclusive memorabilia from the film and fashion worlds. There will be several attractive lifestyle packages also, aimed at promoting stronger public participation to raise funds for amfAR, which has invested nearly $290m in its programmes and awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.

The event follows the World Aids Day on December 1. "By bringing together global celebrities and the Dubai community on one platform, Cinema Against Aids Dubai highlights the magnitude of the [Aids] problem and raises vital funding," said Pandya.

At last year's gala Salma Hayek, Goldie Hawn and Laura Linney were joined by other international stars.

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