Cinema for Gaza Raises Over $300,000 for Charity Through Celebrity Auction
In a powerful display of solidarity and support, Cinema for Gaza, a project spearheaded by a group of female filmmakers and film journalists, has successfully raised $316,778 for the UK charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. The initiative, which included a celebrity auction, garnered donations from notable figures such as Tilda Swinton, Annie Lennox, Joaquin Phoenix, Spike Lee, and Guillermo del Toro.
Top Sellers and Generous Contributions
Among the standout items at the auction was Annie Lennox’s handwritten lyrics to her iconic Eurythmics hit “Sweet Dreams,” which fetched an impressive $26,222 from a bidder. Additionally, “The Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer made a generous contribution by donating signed posters from his films, including “The Zone of Interest” and “Under the Skin,” raising a total of $13,702.
Other notable contributions included comedian Ramy Youssef’s donation of tickets to his live show and afterparty, Joaquin Phoenix’s signed “Joker” poster, Guillermo del Toro’s six signed books, and Spike Lee’s framed poster of Malcolm X.
A Powerful Display of Unity and Activism
London-based film journalist Hanna Flint, along with her colleagues Hannah Farr, Julia Jackman, Leila Latif, Sophie Monks Kaufman, and Helen Simmons, founded Cinema for Gaza in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The diverse group of women, representing various backgrounds and beliefs, came together to make a tangible impact and show solidarity with those affected by the humanitarian crisis.
Flint emphasized the power of cinema as a tool for social and political change, stating, “We really believe that cinema can be a powerful tool, a political tool, to speak about the world, to reflect and engage with what’s going on.” The success of the charity auction is a testament to the industry’s ability to come together and make a difference in the lives of those in need.