Artists for Peace and Justice to Commemorate 10th Anniversary at annual Gala event during Toronto Film Festival on September 8, 2018

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Aug 22, 2018, 12:00 ET

Star-Studded Artists for Peace and Justice Gala presented by BOVET to be co-hosted by Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon, Jackson Browne, Maxwell and more to raise funds for providing access to education in Haiti

TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Moving to a new night, Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) will host their annual Festival Gala, presented by BOVET, on Saturday September 8^th, 2018. To pay a nod to the organizations' first-ever event, the gala will be held once again at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto's Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood. The sold-out event is co-chaired by Natasha Koifman and Suzanne Boyd, the event will be co-hosted by notables including Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon, Jackson Browne, Maxwell, and Yannick & Shantelle Bisson. New York-based pop-artist Peter Tunney will create a live-art red carpet, as he did in 2009, themed around "Grattitude" and celebrating the deep appreciation for those who have helped APJ flourish to support communities in Haiti over the past ten years.

Ben Stiller, seen here at the Academy for Peace and Justice, will serve as co-host for the 2018 APJ Festival Gala in Toronto (CNW Group/Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ))

APJ's mission is to encourage peace and social justice, working to alleviate poverty around the world. The organization's immediate efforts serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education and training in creative industries, while expanding the reach globally by partnering with effective local organizations to give young women access to quality education. Thanks to strategic partner BOVET, APJ is able to give 100 per cent of every dollar towards meeting this mission, having raised over $30M for the organization since its inaugural launch event in 2009 during the Toronto International Film Festival.

This year's event will also pay a worthwhile nod to individuals who are committed to making a difference in their own communities and abroad. In its second year being awarded, Alan Cumming will announce the Canadian Changemaker Award presented by Birks, giving it to Kate and David Daniels, honouring the couple's commitment to supporting causes with integrity and impact. APJ will also introduce a Lifetime Achievement Award, presenting it to Mr. Harry Belafonte via live remote feed for his lifetime of activism and great personal commitment to peace and social justice around the world. A worthy recipient, to be named shortly, will also receive the 2018 Peace and Justice Award.

"Since 2009, the film festival has served as a unifying platform to bring a community together who has been passionate, dedicated and committed to improving lives for children and the future of Haiti," says Natasha Koifman, Canadian Board Chair, US Board of Directors and Festival Gala Co-Host, "Reflecting upon the first year we launched, before the devastation of the earthquake, most attendees couldn't identify Haiti on a map. I feel an overwhelming sense of pride of what we've been able to accomplish over the past 10 years – over $30M raised to build a high school that allows 3500 students annually a chance at an education they wouldn't otherwise have had access to. To sustain this empowerment of Haitian students, there is much work to be done, which is why events such as the Festival Gala continue to be so important."

"It is a privilege to serve as Co-Chair of the Board and as a Co-Host of this year's Festival Gala, helping to foster economic growth and empower local communities in Haiti," says Ben Stiller. "In thanks to the generous Toronto community, our committed sponsors and the APJ family, this event allows us to raise substantial funds to support the game-changing effects of secondary and higher education in breaking the cycle of endemic poverty."

Generous sponsors for this year's event to-date include BOVET, Birks, Stella Artois, AUDI, the Windsor Arms Hotel and NKPR. For more information on the organization or to make a donation, please visit http://www.apjnow.org or follow @artistsforpeace on social.

About Artists for Peace and Justice
Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world. APJ's immediate goal is to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education, healthcare, and dignity through the arts. The organization is committed to long-term, sustainable development in direct partnership with the Haitian people. The model is simple: APJ believes in empowering local communities, fostering economic growth, and the power of education to change a nation. APJ is based in New York; Marchelle Sellers serves as its CEO. To learn more, visit www.apjnow.org or follow @artistsforpeace on Instagram and Twitter.

About BOVET
BOVET is a Swiss Manufacturer of luxury timepieces. Since its foundation in 1822, BOVET has artfully combined the most sophisticated mechanisms with the finest craftsmanship, employing artisanal techniques such as gem-setting, engraving, and miniature painting. Under the visionary guidance of Owner Pascal Raffy, BOVET acquired renowned tourbillons and dials manufactures in 2006 and DIMIER 1738 immediately began producing the Maison's movements, hair springs, and dials in-house. His passion for Haute Horlogerie also led to the introduction of the remarkable Amadeo convertible case system, which draws inspiration from the exquisite 19th century pocket watches produced by BOVET. Today, the House demonstrates its excellence through varied collections that encompass models as emblematic and remarkable as the Edouard Bovet, Braveheart, OttantaSei, Grand Récital, Astérium, and Shooting Star tourbillons, to name just a few of its icons. To learn more, visit www.bovet.com or follow @ bovet1822 on Instagram.

SOURCE Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ)