Sharon Stone Stuns the Gala for Humanity in Cannes

Press Release – Cannes, May 21, 2026

SHARON STONE DEEPLY MOVES THE BETTER WORLD FUND GALA FOR HUMANITY ON THE CROISETTE — THE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL IN CANNES – REMEMBER THE FUTURE WAS A PARTNER OF THE EVENING

As an official partner of the Better World Fund Gala for Humanity 2026, the World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future was present on May 18, 2026, at Copal Beach, for an evening at the crossroads of diplomacy, art and humanitarian commitment.

That evening, American actress and activist Sharon Stone received the Better World Award for Best Engagement — an award presented to public figures who commit, inspire and mobilize for a cause. What she said was not a conventional speech. With determination, she addressed the entire room:

“Put down your fucking phones. Turn to the stranger sitting next to you. At some point in their life, someone broke them. Look at them. Take them in your arms. And tell them you are sorry.”
“Not politicians. Not presidents. Not grand speeches. None of that will change anything. Only you. By changing yourself.”

Her words resonated deeply with the philosophy carried by the festival: restoring meaningful human presence in an increasingly fragmented and distracted world.

Beyond the lights of Cannes and the spectacle surrounding it, Sharon Stone brought something far rarer to the room — a form of sincerity, vulnerability and compassion that quietly stayed with people.

The full speech, subtitled in French, is available here:

The World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future and the Better World Fund share common founding values: women’s empowerment, gender equality, education, human rights, child protection, aid to refugee populations, diversity, inclusion and humanitarian commitment in support of the most vulnerable.

About the Better World Fund

Founded in 2016 by Manuel Collas de La Roche, the Better World Fund is a philanthropic organization that brings together artists, diplomats and leaders every year around major humanitarian causes — in Cannes, Venice, Monaco, Cairo and Dubai.

The 2026 edition, held under the theme of Egypt as country of honor, brought together leading figures including Dr. Khaled El Anani Director-General of UNESCO, H.E. Sameh Choukri, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, H.E. Rania Al Mashat, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, H.E. Gihane Zaki, Minister of Culture of Egypt, Isabelle Lonvis Rome, French Ambassador for Human Rights for President Macron, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former French minister, and Sarah El Hairy, Ambassador for Children within the French government.

The evening supported two causes: the Women’s Refugee Commission, which protects and empowers refugee women and girls around the world, and Al Nas Pediatric Hospital in Cairo — which provides 100% free care to disadvantaged children.

Over the course of its editions, the Better World Fund has brought together figures such as Sharon Stone, Juliette Binoche, Catherine Deneuve, Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Isabelle Huppert, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Lynch, Chief Raoni, Lang Lang, Mira Nair, Nadine Labaki, Mary J. Blige, Carmen Maura, Euzhan Palcy and Prince Albert II of Monaco, making this event one of the most influential philanthropic gatherings on the international calendar.
Info: betterworld.fund

About the World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future

Founded in Cannes in 2019 by Karolina Bomba, founder and president, the World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future is an international hybrid competition — both monthly and annual — unfolding throughout the entire year.
Driven by the mantra and trademark Remember the Future®, it celebrates bold, committed and forward-looking cinema across 190 categories, regardless of budget or nationality.

Beyond awards and screenings, the event was conceived as a space where cinema, consciousness and human connection could meet. It has long championed works exploring social impact, human rights, inclusion, environmental awareness, emerging technologies and the future of storytelling.

A global pioneer, WFFiC became the first festival in the world to introduce and reward a category dedicated to films integrating artificial intelligence, as early as 2020.
Its emblematic distinction, the Luciole d’Or (Golden Firefly) — a trophy depicting a fairy holding a phosphorescent star, the festival’s muse, also appearing in hologram form — honors works that dare to question, imagine and shape the future.

Over the years, the festival has welcomed and celebrated artists, visionaries and public figures from across cinema, music, science and humanitarian commitment. Since its creation, the WFFiC has awarded films featuring personalities such as Clint Eastwood, Jane Goodall, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Kate Bush, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Richard Branson, Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, Yoko Ono, Neil Young, le Dalaï-Lama, Jon Voight, Malcolm McDowell, Donald Sutherland, John Waters, Deepak Chopra, Mickey Rourke, Andy Garcia, Eric Roberts, Vandana Shiva, Chaka Khan, Luc Besson, Lambert Wilson, David Lachapelle, Lance Henriksen and many others — personalities honored with Oscars®, BAFTA®, Golden Globes®, or distinguished by the Nobel Peace Prize.

About the festival and its vision: https://www.world-film-festival.com/en/our-story/

More than 2,500 award-winning films. 130 nationalities. 7,000 participants.
6th Annual Ceremony — June 27, 2026, at the Pullman Cannes Mandelieu
🎟️ Tickets : https://www.world-film-festival.com/en/6th-annual-awards-ceremony-june-27-2026/

Contact Press : Christine Serfati
c.delattre.presse@orange.fr | press@world-film-festival.com
World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future
45 boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes
www.worldfilmfestival.com | www.rememberthefuture.fr