The 18th Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival has concluded with a gala award ceremony honouring the best of the best for outstanding achievements and for making people smile.
The 2021 Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival brought together international and Italian guests from the small and big screen as well as several well-known faces from the Principality including Mayor Georges Marsan, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Laurent Anselmi and the Italian Ambassador to Monaco, Guilio Alaimo.
The jury comprised of Raoul Bova, president of the jury and Italian actor, Mario de la Rosa, Spanish actor from the hit series La Casa de Papel, beloved transalpine actor Giacomo Ferrara and Italian director Mario Sesti, who chose the top films and personalities of the year to be rewarded at a gala awards ceremony on Saturday night at the Grimaldi Forum.
The Spanish film Sentimental, directed by Cesc Gay took the award for best film. Argentinian actress Griselda Siciliani nabbed the prize for Best Actress and Udo Kier won the Best Actor award. Best Director was won by Adam Rehmeier for the Dinner in America, whilst Todd Stephens’s Swan Song won the Audience Award.
The Monte-Carlo Film Festival jury also awarded a special mention to the Israeli film Honeymood directed by Talya Lavie. Finally, the Comedy Short Award in the section dedicated to short films went to Wichita, by Sergine Dumais.
American actor Chazz Palminteri, known for roles in Once upon a time in the
Bronx, The Usual Suspects and Modern Family, arrived directly from the United States to receive the prestigious Movie Legend Award. The actor, nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actor in the Woody Allen film Shots on Broadway, has recently appeared in Godfather of Harlem.
Actress, presenter and writer Rocio Munos Morales received the Monte-Carlo Award for her exceptional role as woman, mother, writer and empowerment model. Also awarded the Monte-Carlo Award was Italian actress Micaela Ramazzotti, nominated several times for her work and winner of the ‘David di Donatello’ for the film La Prima Cosa Bella.
Photo by Rosanna Calò