Ricci and Dillon steal show at Aids benefit

Dubai: Hollywood stars Christina Ricci and Matt Dillon stole the show at Dubai's third annual Cinema Against Aids benefit event last night.

Temperatures soared as the Hollywood pair took their first steps onto a uniquely-placed red carpet under the gateway building at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The world's media, including television networks from as far as Russia, descended upon the venue in a desperate bid to catch a glimpse of the stars who were also joined by Mandy Moore.

Queen Noor of Jordan was a special chair to the evening's celebrations.

Stars from Hollywood, Bollywood and regional high-profile film names attended under the same umbrella, including Mammooty, the supporting cast from Nine (the gala screening at the opening night on Wednesday), Raja Al Jadawi, Samir Ghanem, Mustafa Sahmi and Elham Shaheem.

Patronage

Held under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the black-tie gala dinner has always been a success for the emirate, with previous events taking place at The Atlantis Hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa. This year was no exception, with the glittering venue's outdoor seating set under the impressive gateway building.

Following the successful format of amfAR's other Cinema Against Aids events, the first of which took place in Cannes in 1993, guests enjoyed a lavish sit-down dinner before a celebrity-themed live auction.

Acclaimed singer and actress Mandy Moore provided the musical entertainment for the evening before Ricci and Dillon got the bidding wars underway.

Since 1993, these signature amfAR benefits have played a pivotal role in focusing attention on the continued fight against Aids and have generated more than $48 million (Dh175.7 million) to fund research programmes.