Sharon Stone and Others Plan AIDS Benefit At Cannes

Yesterday, Sharon Stone, Kylie Minogue, Julian Lennon, and burlesque dancer Dita Von Tees all collaborated to raise money for AIDS research at the Cannes Film Festival. They group raised $7 million for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Stone, who sponsored the event, acted as auctioneer for the night, auctioning off various prizes sponsored by actors. George Clooney helped to auction off a yacht vacation, offering to kiss a bidder who offered over $350,000.

Other goods offered at the auction included fashion show tickets sponsored by Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, and a Francesco Vezzoli portrait of Bette Davis, given to Ivana Trump for $200,000.

The AIDS auction came at a time of increasing interest in political and social issues among actors, who are using their fame and resources to help. On Tuesday night at Cannes, the cast of "Ocean's Thirteen" raised $9.2 million to help refugees from Darfur.