The Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) Festival Gala, presented by title sponsor Bovet 1822, returned in its ninth year at a new downtown location, the Art Gallery of Ontario on September 10, 2017. $1.1 million dollars was raised at the gala event, which was held during the Toronto Film Festival.
Co-chaired by Natasha Koifman and Suzanne Boyd, the APJ Festival Gala was co-hosted by an influential team, including APJ founder Paul Haggis, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ben Stiller, Shantelle and Yannick Bisson, George Stromboulopoulos, and Audrey Raffy, daughter of BOVET 1822 owner Pascal Raffy.
Ms. Raffy is a firm supporter of her father’s projects and shares his dedication to APJ. Thanks to Bovet’s support, APJ is able to give 100 percent of every dollar raised directly to supporting health, dignity, and education initiatives in Haiti. Since Pascal Raffy’s acquisition of the Swiss watch manufacturer, the charity endeavors undertaken by Bovet 1822 have been devoted exclusively to children and education. In 2013, Mr. Raffy was so moved by what he experienced working with APJ that he pledged an official, long-term partnership between his company and the charity. BOVET 1822 has contributed $1 million of support annually for five years, for a total of $5 million to date. Mr. Pascal Raffy and BOVET’s significant contribution to APJ has been made permanent through the founding of the Academy for Peace and Justice.
The event kicked off with a surprise for guests in attendance, when APJ CEO David Belle and Haggis called on notable attendees to join them in the spirit of social justice and activism to help serve the meal. All the co-hosts jumped up from their seats and proceeded to serve the guests.
The evening continued with George Stromboulopoulos introducing the inaugural Canadian Changemaker Award, presented by Birks, to philanthropist Gary Slaight, honoring his commitment to supporting causes with integrity and impact.
Later that evening, Haggis and Belle with Bovet 1822’s Audrey Raffy presented Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne with the 2017 Peace and Justice Activism Award, previously awarded to Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon.
Jackson Browne presented with the Bovet Amadeo Fleurier timepiece Audrey Raffy, elegantly dressed and wearing her namesake “Miss Audrey” BOVET 1822 timepiece, personally presented Bovet 1822 timepieces to Ben Stiller, and Cuba Gooding Junior as a token of thanks for their contributions to the APJ cause. Ben Stiller was gifted the BOVET Amadeo Fleurier, and Cuba Gooding Junior accepted the BOVET Fleurier Jumping Hour timepiece.
A live auction throughout the evening, led by auctioneer Stephen Ranger, helped to sell one-of-a-kind experiences that went for impressive amounts in support of the cause, including: A private atelier tour and tea with Zac Posen and Susan Sarandon and a chance to bid on the ultimate VIP concert experience with Sir Paul McCartney.
Guests in attendance were treated to musical performances by Slaight Music artist Kayla Diamond, winner of the label’s It’s Your Shot contest as well ad Haitian musician and longtime friend of APJ Paul Beaubrun.
