Sting, Ben Stiller delight with special appearances at Artists for Peace and Justice gala at TIFF 2020

The annual Artists for Peace and Justice gala is one of TIFF's biggest events. This year, though, it was scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and held as a smaller function on Sept. 12. APJ's goal with the gala was to raise funds to help support education, health care and the arts in Haiti and many of Canada's most beloved stars came out to share their support!

It followed provincial and city guidelines to ensure all attendees were safe and healthy, and featured a number of incredible in-person performances and ones that were done from a distance via video link from the likes of Sting.

One of the evening's highlights was beloved Canadian media personality George Stroumboulopoulos receiving an important award!

Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see some of the highlights from this year's gala and see who was on hand to celebrate!

Photos: © George Pimentel

Nelly Furtado chose a casual green ensemble as she stepped out with Canada's Drag Race contestant Tynomi Banks.

Photo: © George Pimentel

Actress Sarah Gadon looked stunning in a black dress, which she paired with a matching black mask and bright blue heels.

Photo: © George Pimentel

The Handmaid's Tale actress Amanda Brugel was accompanied by partner Aidan Shipley.

Photo: © George Pimentel

APJ Canadian Board Chair and U.S. Board of Directors member Natasha Koifman, who co-chaired the gala, looked fantastic in an all-black ensemble as she posed on the step-and-repeat with Eric Hendrikx.

Photo: © George Pimentel

Director X, one of the most prolific directors of Canadian music videos of all time, showed off an important message with the mask he wore to the event.

Photo: © George Pimentel

Actor Lyriq Bent, known for his work on the Saw films and on Netflix's She's Gotta Have It, showed off some casual style.

Photo: © George Pimentel

HELLO! Canada Editor-in-Chief Alison Eastwood and her partner, Scott Pietrangelo, looked great in black and also came with very stylish masks!

Photo: © George Pimentel

Attendees were treated to a gorgeous spread as part of the dinner, with candlelight and speeches from MC George Stroumboulopoulos, who is also on Artists for Peace and Justice's Canadian Board of Directors.

Photo: © George Pimentel

Toronto singer/songwriter Kayla Diamond was one of the performers.

Photo: © George Pimentel

Ben Stiller was one of those who made a special appearance via video link at the event.

Photo: © George Pimentel

Sting, long an advocate for social change and humanitarian and environmental causes, performed via video link.

Photo: © George Pimentel

It was a big night for Strombo, who not only emceed the event, but also received the Canadian Changemaker Award for his philanthropic work! Congrats to George!

Photo: © George Pimentel