Leonardo DiCaprio is big-hitter at amfAR gala in Cannes

Leonardo DiCaprio outdid his own charity efforts at the annual amfAR Gala in Cannes, France on Thursday (21May15) by raising $250,000 more than he managed last year (14).

The Titanic star donated a prized Banksy artwork from his own collection to be auctioned off for AIDS research, and it raised $1 million.

An invitation to attend an event for his environment protection foundation sold for $250,000, meaning his contribution to the glitzy event outweighed last year's feat when he raised $1 million by selling the chance to accompany him on a trip to outer space.

The glitzy gala, held to coincide with the Cannes Film Festival, attracted a galaxy of stars including Jake Gyllenhaal, Adrien Brody, sibling moviemakers Joel and Ethan Coen, British actress Sienna Miller, French star Marion Cotillard, actor Chris Tucker, and Shame star Michael Fassbender.

Celebrity auctioneers helping to raise cash included Robin Thicke, Harvey Keitel, and Eva Longoria, who also bid $615,000 for a signed Andy Warhol print of Elizabeth Taylor.

The amfAR 22st annual Cinema Against AIDS gala, at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, featured a fashion show and performances by Imagine Dragons, Mary J. Blige, and Charli XCX.

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein took the opportunity to pay tribute to the people of France following the terrorist attack at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January (15), saying, "This was an extraordinary year for the French. They have always been a gracious host, and their country is magical. And I cannot forget the strength of the French, and the strength the French have shown and especially in what happened with Charlie Hedbo. No one can defeat the ability of brave artists to show us our world. Je Suis Charlie. Vive Le France. And one thing. In the movies good triumphs over evil, and for France remember it happens in life too."

The event raised an estimated $33.4 million.