At Cannes, amfAR gala returns in movie star style

After a year off due to the pandemic, the lavish amfAR gala to raise money for AIDS and HIV research retuned in movie-star style Friday

ANTIBES, France -- Sharon Stone hosted and Alicia Keys gave a dazzling performance as the lavish amfAR gala that raises money for AIDS research returned to Cannes Friday evening. One of the most anticipated nights of the festival, the 27th edition was a smaller more intimate affair than previous years, with the exclusive guestlist pared from 900 to 400 people with COVID-19 protocols in place. The night began with a cocktail hour complete with ballerinas, flapper girls with Afghan hounds, vodka and caviar shots and plenty of champagne. This was followed by a seated dinner without the usual after-party that keeps guests dancing into the early hours. That didn't stop attendees from enjoying the hottest ticket in town.