H.M. Queen Noor of Jordan
First Founding Patron, Institute Cinema Vérité

“Cinéma Vérité has a very important role to play. Media in general can today bring people together and promote a more constructive understanding of a range of issues; It can in fact contribute greatly to peace and security in the world.”

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan is an international humanitarian activist and an outspoken voice on issues of world peace and justice. She is dedicated to promoting international dialogues and understanding of Arab and Muslim culture and politics Arab-Western relations and conflict prevention such as refugees missing persons poverty and disarmament. Queen Noor’s work In Jordan since 1978 has focused on education, health, sustainable development, women’s empowerment, human rights and arts as a medium for social development and cross cultural understanding. She is also actively involved with international and UN organizations that address global challenges in these fields. Her Majesty chairs the Noor Hussein Foundation, as well as the King Hussein Foundation International (KHFI) founded 1999 to build on King Hussein’s humanitarian vision and legacy in Jordan and abroad. In 2007, KHFI, launched the Media and Humanity Program during New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival. Her majesty is also co-founder of the Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund, an unprecedented, initiative by private media, the UN and global philantropists to promote media content that enhances mutual understanding and respect among societies and cultures. Queen Noor has been an active patron of the CINEMA VERITE Institute since its inception. Following her suggestion, the Focus of CINEMA VERITE 2008 is on Intercultural Understanding and Dialogue between Peoples.

Jody Williams
Nobel Laureate for Peace. Honorary President, Tribunes Cinema Vérité 2007

“Cinéma Vérité has chosen to highlight the very important work of filmmakers who take up serious issues that demand broad attention. I am happy to be a part of this initiative”

Wangari Maathai
Nobel Laureate for Peace. Honorary President, Tribunes Cinema Vérité 2008

“Global change can only happen though global media. Films today use all kind of supports. Cinema can reach everyone at anytime. It is important that a cinema advocating social and humanitarian concerns can be witnessed in all of these supports. Cinéma Vérité is an essential platform”

Carla Del Ponte
Former Prosecutor, International Crime Tribunal.
Guest of Honor, Tribunes Cinema Vérité 2007

« I would like to convey to Cinema Vérité all my respect for the outstanding work you have accomplished.»

Rama Yade
Secretary of State for Sport. Honorary Patron, Institute Cinema Vérité

“Emotion is what moves and animates, possibly leading to commitment. A chorus thank you to all artists presented during Cinéma Vérité and whose films are moving and encouraging us to act.”

Sharon Stone
Mistress of Ceremony, Tribunes Cinema Vérité 2007

«  Cinema Vérité is a force majeure »

Louis Schweitzer
President High Authority Against Discriminations.
President, Tribunes Cinema Vérité 2007

“Cinema can act as an eye opener on contemporary issues.”

Yamina Benguigui, Réalisatrice
Director, Deputy Mayor of Paris, for Human Rights.
Founding Patron, Tribunes Cinema Vérité Paris

 “Images, accessible to a wider audience, is an astonishing tool to influence people opinion”

Yamina Benguigui is a French-Algerian director and well known producer who, for more than fifteen years has been involved in exploring the human part of immigration in France.
Her feature documentary “Mémoires d’immigrés, l‘héritage maghrébin“ (1998) won the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco Festival, the Michel Mitrani Award at the FIPA, and the 7 d’Or of the best documentary. Her first feature film “Inch ‘Allah dimanche“ (2001) won the International Critic Award at the Toronto Film Festival, the Grand Prix at the International Film Festival of Marrakesh and the 3 main awards of the Festival au Féminin in Arcachon. She is the recipient of the Peace Award in Florence, and is a member of the “Haut Conseil à l’intégration” since 2006. In march 2008, she was elected deputy mayor to the Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe, in charge of Human rights and against discrimination.
Yamina Benguigui is Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Légion D’Honneur and Officier of Arts et Lettres. Her documentary “Le plafond de verre” was unanimously applauded by critics.
The film « Aicha » for France 2 received The Prix Spécial du Jury at the last Television Festival in La Rochelle. She just completed a documentary for Canal + “93 Mémoire d un territoire“ which tells the history, and the daily life of a little known territory through moving testimonials. Her films and documentaries are studied in universities, and she is invited to do conferences around the world on her work.
Yamina Benguigui was a supporter of Cinema Verité 2007, she is now serving as Patron of Cinema verite 2008.

Susan Sarandon
Guest of honor Cinema Vérité 2008

World famed actress, Susan Sarandon began her career in the seventies playing in successful movies such as “The Great Waldo Pepper “ (1975) and « The Rocky Horror Picture Show » (1975). She received praise in 1991 for her role in the feature film “Thelma & Louise” directed by Ridley Scott. She won the Oscar for Best Actress for her appearance in “Dead Man Walking”. But her brilliant acting career has not kept her from supporting the causes which are close to her heart like women’s empowerment, the fight against starvation and HIV. Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1999, she participated the following year in a fieldwork mission in United Republic of Tanzania. The actress also went to India and Brazil in order to promote development programs for young children.

Bekele Geleta
Secretary General International Federation Red Cross & Red Crescent
Patron Tribunes Cinema Vérité 2009

Jane Fonda
Tribute Cinema Vérité 2008

Since her early screen performances in the 1960s with hits such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou, Jane Fonda has been an incredible success. She has won two Academy Awards for Best Actress for her roles in Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1978). She has also been a dedicated political and social activist throughout her entire career. She actively spoke out against the Vietnam War in the 1970s. In the face of much opposition and danger, she visited Vietnam in 1972 in an attempt to raise awareness about the reality of the war. Her humanitarian concerns have continued to this day. As a liberal feminist, she has done a great deal for the plight of women both in America and throughout the rest of the world. Politically, she was in active opposition of the Iraq war and publicly challenged the Bush administration for their military intervention. She has worked to help those in need following the Hurricane Katrina crisis in New Orleans. She has also had a proactive role in working towards a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Adel Imam 
Tribute Cinema Vérité 2008

Adel Imam, Egyptian born, is one of the most important actors in the Middle East – he has appeared in over 100 movies as well as having an active career in theater. Film is a medium through which he can explore his political convictions in a comic way and transport his message to a broad audience. His films The Terrorist (1991) and more recently, The Yacoubian Building (2006) have propelled him to fame as a socially and politically active screen actor. In January 2000, the United Nations appointed him Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. Since his appointment, Adel Imam has worked tirelessly for the cause of refugees and in opposition to religious extremism and political corruption.

Jorge Sampaio
High Representant United Nations, Alliance of Civilisations 
Patron Institute Cinema Vérité

Jorge Sampaio, Former President of Portugal, United Nations High Representative for Alliance of Civilizations. During his terms as President, Jorge Sampaio largely contributed to the advancement of numerous humanitarian causes including the battle against AIDS, the recognition of Human Rights and the independence of East Timor. Mayor of Lisbon for several terms, member of the Human Rights Commission of the Council of Europe, Jorge Sampaio is a renowned jurist. In the sixties and seventies he played a key role in supporting Portugal’s transition to democracy. Throughout the years he intervened in political and cultural affairs namely through his writings in newspapers and magazines.

Lilian Thuram   
Patron Institute Cinema Vérité