Hollywood's Eva Longoria returns for DIFF's Global Gift Gala

Eva Longoria Bastón will return to Dubai this December with the support of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and UAE-based global philanthropic organization Dubai Cares to host an exclusive gala dinner and high-end auction featuring one-of-a-kind prizes to raise funds for Dubai Cares and the Global Gift Foundation, the official charity Gala of the festival.

Funds raised during the Gala will go towards supporting programs in four different continents making it a truly global gala in partnership with Dubai Cares, Harmony House (India), the Eva Longoria Foundation (USA and Mexico) and the Global Gift Gala’s Casa Global Gift.

A night of film stars and philanthropy is expected at The Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach on December 12, 2016.

The annual glittering black-tie charity evening, sponsored by the Apparel Group, will host international stars led by Honorary Chair of the Gala Eva Longoria Bastón, Melanie Griffith and Will Poulter.

Acclaimed American singer-songwriter and producer, Anastacia, as well as flamenco, salsa and pop musicians Reyes Heritage sons of The Gipsy Kings, French singer Melissa Nkonda and the Dubai College Choir, will provide a memorable evening of musical highlights. World renowned Spanish magician Jorge Blass brings his original and fabulous show to the event, guests will experience live this amazing illusionist artist.

During the event, Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe winning Hollywood actress Melanie Griffith will be honoured with The Global Gift Humanitarian Award, acknowledging her generous work through her charity. The Global Gift Humanitarian Award is presented to individuals who exemplify their own foundation’s mission and through their outstanding involvement and dedication, have made a significant contribution to changing the lives on an international level.

British actor and BAFTA winner of the Rising Star Award Will Poulter (The Revenant, We Are The Millers, The Maze Runner) will receive the The Global Gift Young Heroes Award. Owner and Vice President of Apparel Group, Sima Ved will be presented with The Global Gift Philantropreneur Award.

The exclusive auction of ‘money can’t buy' experiences and highly-coveted items includes an Apparel shopping spree, exclusive work of Marilyn Monroe by Mr. Brainwash created from diamond dust, and one lucky shoe fan can secure The Sarah Jessica Parker Shoe Experience, their very own personalised shoe line!

Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) will be partnering for the sixth year running.

Commenting on this partnership, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares said: “We are grateful and proud of our long-standing partnership with the Dubai International Film Festival. This is also our third year partnering with the Global Gift Foundation and the Eva Longoria Foundation. The funds raised from the gala are vital in ensuring marginalized children and their families get the support they need. By supporting organizations like Dubai Cares, DIFF is helping us create positive and lasting change in the world.”

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “We are honoured to be involved in this significant event for another year, continuing our partnership with Dubai Cares and the Global Gift Foundation. Here at DIFF we have a mission to drive positive change though the power of film which once again brings people together to support worthy causes. I would like to call upon those extremely dedicated organizations and individuals in Dubai to offer their invaluable contribution to support this year’s event to raise funds for the children and families currently in crisis in four different continents who desperately need our help.”

Dubai Cares works towards providing children in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programs that are integrated, impactful, sustainable and scalable.

Over the past 9 years, Dubai Cares has successfully launched education programs reaching over 16 million beneficiaries in 45 developing countries.

The Global Gift Gala is a platform part of the Global Gift Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2013 by Maria Bravo focusing on creating a positive impact on the lives of children, women and families.

The Foundation has donated millions of dollars to projects including ‘Fight for Life’ Radiotherapy Treatments for children at Hospital UCLH, UNICEF in France to help with vaccinations of polio in Chad, Mensajeros de la Paz feed families program, funding for anti-bullying programs for the Diana the Princess of Wales Charity, The Diana Award, amongst others.

Last year, the Global Gift Gala funds raised were used to change the lives of hundreds of women, children and families over a broad range of projects helping causes such as cancer treatment for children, the development of a multifunctional centre for children with rare and chronic diseases, life-changing operations for disabled children in European Countries, microloans for women in need of help and many more.             

The Global Gift Gala is also supporting The Eva Longoria Foundation which aims to improve education and provide entrepreneurial opportunities for young Latino women and to support children with special needs.  

Since 2013, over 2.8 million euro has been donated thanks to The Global Gift Galas in London, Paris, Cannes, Marbella, Estepona, Madrid, Ibiza and Dubai, with more events coming up and new cities added to the list including Edinburgh and Shenzhen for spring of 2017.

In addition, the event will support Harmony House an Indian registered, non-profit organisation in Gurgaon, just outside of Delhi, India.

They have transformed two villas into full-time community centres for women and children, where they are offered offer education, food, medication, hygiene facilities and social services to women and children living in the nearby slums.

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