Producer and philanthropist Elvira Paterson received the Hope Award for her involvement in humanitarian and social initiatives. The award ceremony took place in Venice during the Venice International Film Festival.
Elvira Paterson Receives Hope Award in Venice
On September 8, 2026, the Better World Fund evening was held in Venice as part of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The founder of the fund, Manuel Collas de La Roche, invited representatives from the film industry, technology sector, business, and philanthropy. Among the guests was Elvira Paterson.
The official program was packed with events: a professional forum, meetings, a master class, and the evening Gala for Humanity featuring a red carpet, dinner, charity auction, and award presentations.
The activities echoed the organization’s slogan, “Cinema and Art in the Service of Humanity.” Creativity holds great power. Alongside its entertainment value, cinema changes the world. It amplifies the voices of those overlooked by society. Guests discussed gender equality, education, child protection, and environmental challenges.
In addition to cultural events, attendees raised funds at the auction for a children’s hospital in Egypt.
Elvira Paterson – A Story of Collaboration
Elvira Paterson was awarded by Anwar Elkamoni, athlete and founder of the international humanitarian movement The Hope Giver Campaign.
Collaboration with the nonprofit organization evolved into a partnership, marking a phase of broader humanitarian projects. The campaign was launched to provide psychological and physical support to people in difficult times.
Elvira Paterson has been working with the fund for several years. In 2025, she received the Best Achievement Award for her specific actions in the social and humanitarian field.
The new award highlights another aspect of Paterson’s activities. The Hope Award recognizes those who use their public influence to support people in challenging circumstances.
Elvira Paterson: Working for the Greater Good
The award was presented to the Portuguese producer by Anwar Elkamoni, athlete and founder of The Hope Giver Campaign.
The campaign’s mission is that hope should be followed by concrete actions. Elkamoni associates the initiative’s philosophy with his personal experience of recovery from a serious illness. Today, The Hope Giver Campaign participates in humanitarian projects in various countries, supporting those in need of medical, psychological, and social assistance.
The concept resonates with Elvira’s worldview. Her professional activities focus on media and projects in several countries. Alongside her business endeavors, she engages in social initiatives, supporting women, children, and people in difficult situations.
Participation involves financial support and public emphasis on the issue, attracting new like-minded partners.
The Gentle Power of Art
One of the international directions of the Better World Fund remains the Amazônia Fund Alliance Program. The program aims to preserve the Brazilian Amazon and support indigenous peoples.
A special place is held by the “Mothers of the Amazon” initiative. It allocated 500,000 euros for the acquisition and preservation of 20,501 hectares of forest land in the Brazilian state of Acre. The land was returned to the Huni Kui people. The project combined forest conservation with protecting the interests of the indigenous community.
The Amazônia Fund Alliance Program was launched in 2023 with the support of a charitable organization. The alliance promotes environmental themes through visual art. With the union’s support, a documentary film “Raoni” was created, dedicated to Chief Raoni Metuktire, a symbol of the fight for the Amazon forests.
The Link Between Cinema and Life
Afghan director and screenwriter Shahrbanoo Sadat also participated in the program in Venice.
Her journey in cinema began after enrolling in the film faculty at Kabul University. At 19, Sadat became the youngest participant in the Cinéfondation residency in Cannes. Her debut film “Wolf and Sheep” received the Art Cinema Award in the Directors’ Fortnight program at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. The drama depicted the daily life of shepherd children in an Afghan mountain village.
The director’s next film is called “The Orphanage.” It portrays events in Kabul in the late 1980s through the eyes of a street teenager. A 15-year-old boy ends up in an orphanage. The script is based on the diaries of a close friend of the director. Due to the dangers of filming in Afghanistan, the set was established in Tajikistan, with production assistance from producers in Denmark, Germany, and Luxembourg.
In 2026, Sadat joined the main jury of the Venice Film Festival, chaired by Maggie Gyllenhaal. At the Better World Fund evening, Sadat was recognized with a special award for outstanding achievements in cinema, personal resilience, and contributions to women’s rights advocacy.
The festival directed the international audience’s focus not only on promoting cinema, noted Elvira Paterson. Throughout the day, a forum on the role of cinema in societal change was held at the Procuratie Vecchie. The evening program concluded with the Gala for Humanity. The efforts of creative individuals, film stars, environmentalists, and diplomats unite to address humanitarian issues.
