

The world is always changing, and in the Better World Fund, they want to ensure it is changing in the right way. The event held on July 12th in the 3.14 Plage at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with Chic Icon as the official media partner, joins art and fashion within the backdrop of social awareness to ignite global change and is not something you will want to miss.
The Better World Fund is excited to host a very special event at this year’s Cannes Film Festival that brings together some of the best minds in art and film with leaders in the community in an exciting forum that will inspire change. With an emphasis on cinema and social issues, the BWF is having a wide range of Film Makers that present their films under Cinematic Art at Service to Humanity.


This year’s event includes the continuously growing community of leading thinkers and doers who share the mission for positive environmental, economic and social changes. There will be awards and honors given out to various countries and NGOs who have contributed to the effort. The first-class Gala dinner will be followed by the fashion show from Eileen Akbaraly & Pietro Paradiso, where they display their talents portraying woman empowerment through the art of weaving luxury and ethical handicrafts. This year’s event is packed with entertainment, networking, and a great message that we don’t want you to miss!
We, at Chic Icon, proudly being the official media partner of the event, had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the President & Founder of the BWF Manuel Collas de la Roche, and Nataliya Resh, the Co-partner and the President & Founder of Open Culture Foundation. Being highly experienced individuals in the entertainment and business world, they gave us an inside look at the event itself and what it means to be a leading charity organization.


What led you to start the Better World Fund? Did you ever envision it becoming this big?
Manuel Collas de la Roche: Actually, since I am 16 years old, I have been on a spiritual path. I wanted to build a platform or a forum to create awareness on social issues that gather cinema, humanitarian mission and financial support, communication, and public relations.
Nataliya Resh: I am a very determined person, I wanted this forum to be recognized internationally.
With so many social issues in the world today, how does BWF choose which platforms to focus on each year?
Manuel: I created a Board of Directors and a Board of Advisors; we meet once a month, and we take all the decisions together.
What makes the Better World Fund successful? How do you measure its success?
Manuel & Nataliya: What makes Better World successful is all the energy put in by our team since 2016. We take care of each detail to prepare our events and represent each project the best way possible. We are really grateful to wake up every day having this chance to live for it, giving our hearts and soul to the Better World. We measure its success by fidelity and perennity of our partners, and longevity of our events, and the funding of our humanitarian and ecological projects.
How has the global COVID pandemic affected your initiatives this year?
Manuel & Nataliya: It has been very difficult, like everyone we couldn’t organize any forum. Our next Better World Fund will take place during the Cannes Film Festival this year on July 12th at the 3.14 Plage.


What can we expect from the Mastermind conference this year that is different from previous conferences? Will you make the discussion available on the web for replay?
Manuel & Nataliya: This year, we have the chance to listen to the leaders from the United Nations, Responsible Jewelry Council, ODCE, PACT,… who will be reunited to share their ethics and values for the first time.
Why is this an important event to have at Cannes Film Festival?
Manuel & Nataliya: Cannes Film Festival is the best way to make a beautiful union between Cinema, incredible stars and all our best donors putting under the spotlights important causes.
How does this event differ from the ones in the past year?
Manuel & Nataliya: This year it is really different! First, because the Cannes Film Festival is organized in July, and, after very difficult last year, this is a real pleasure to see the world moving again and coming to our events.
How has it been working with Chic Icon as the official media partner for the event?
Manuel & Nataliya: It’s been fantastic to have you as a media partner, and we are really grateful for your support. Thank you!
Read more INTERVIEWS here