At a 78th Cannes, which on the party side wasn’t as noisy as previous ones with drone shows (2022’s Elvis) and Elton John performing on the beach (2019’s Rocketman), leave it to amfAR‘s 31st fashionista blowout Cannes Gala at Hotel Du Cap at Eden Roc to steal the show. This year fundraiser for the AIDS research foundation racked up $17M+ in an auction of art pieces and experiences with performances by Ciara, Adam Lambert‘s sublime Queen covers, and Duran Duran closing with “Notorious” and “View to a Kill”.

Even if you’re ready to throw bread rolls at the stage after what is a four-hour-plus spirited auction by auctioneer, what more than makes up one’s time in the glam oasis is the je ne sais quoi of amfAR’s rock acts (last year’s being the Jonas Brothers and Cher), and Lambert didn’t disappoint with even Robin Thicke bopping along at the front of the audience to “Pressure,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” accentuated by Queen’s Roger Meddows Taylor drumming, making the entire set that more authentic. Last night’s event was hosted by Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson.

BlacKkKlansman Oscar winner Spike Lee underscored the importance of amfAR in the Trump era of public fund slashing: “It’s a great cause and with the cuts in effect, it’s going to lead to death. People are going to die. I was asked to be a part of this, and I said ‘Yes’ right away, there was no hesitation.” Lee earlier this week world premiered his latest Denzel Washington movie Highest 2 Lowest to a six-minute plus standing ovation.

Fast & Furious star Michelle Rodriguez, one of amfAR’s biggest ambassadors, who was donned in Elie Saab, told us why she rallies for the non-proft org.

“I’ve been researching charities for the last 15 years, and all of the charities I’ve supported, amfAR has the most results. There are drugs that have come out of the research they funded, the direction of their research is on the cutting edge of all the auto immune in the industry.”

“Every single time they put their money where their mouth is, they get results, and you can look back at the almost $1 billion they’ve raised over the course of 40 years and compare it to other organizations, if you look at their overhead — I’ve been privy to other organizations, and 80% of that goes to the people that work for it. I’ve been so pissed off and crushed by things like that I’ve been aware of; it’s disheartening. When I find an organization that I can follow the results and see where the money is going, it makes me happy.”

The delight in attending amfAR is watching the war of models in their couture fashion, none too scared to dress like the Bene Gesserit sisters from Dune. In Hollywood, we always talk about who is closing down to the carpet, however, at the Cannes Gala last night, it was about who is starting it, and that big splash goes to Sky Hankey who descended the stairs at Du Cap in flowing, boa of a dress designed by Giambattista Valli. In fact, it was slow, hard time to get through the door overlooking the Mediterranean shore with the epic get-up, but once she slid through, it was a moment to remember fashion-wise last night; only to be potentially rivaled by the 007 Bond Girl fashion show curated by Carine Roitfeld with tuxedoes by Dsquared2 and GCDS, and themed get-ups from Goldfinger (the model was actually bronzed in a bikini) to Grace Jones’ May Day designed by Louis Vuitton, Jacquemus, Richard Quinn, Elie Saab, Rick Owens, Alaïa, Ami Paris, Atsuko Kudo, Balenciaga, Chanel, Courrèges, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Duran Lantink, LaQuan Smith, Loewe, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci, North Face x Skims, Off-White, Prada, Saint Laurent, Skims, Valentino and Yanina Couture.

Among the fun stuff auctioned last night were a Fast X car for 475K Euros, a walk on in a Spike Lee movie for 400K Euros, a George Condo sold for 1.15M Euros, Chopard earrings sold for 400K Euros and a Cookson Adventures Madagascar getaway to the Miavana Private Island for eight with helicopters on standby, waterfall picnics, personal butlers and lemmers.

Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey was in attendance last night in the back of the tent, continuing his comeback tour in Cannes after delivering a spirited speech against blacklisting during his fete at the Better World Gala. James Franco also made an appearance onstage to assist with the auction.

Among others attending last night were 2 Oscar winner Adrien Brody and 2x Oscar nominee Colman Domingo.