In a powerful preview of the human stories and environmental battles shaping the screen this year, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival has announced the winners of its prestigious Special Prizes. From war-torn Ukraine to the endangered reefs of Indonesia, the selected documentaries shine a spotlight on courage, compassion and conservation. The awards will be formally presented at the festival’s Closing Ceremony on 17th June at the Grimaldi Forum in the presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.
The 2025 AMADE Prize will be awarded to Children in the Fire, a striking co-production between Ukraine and the United States by Unbroken Generation Production, Karandash Animation Studio and PFX. This hybrid documentary blends live-action with evocative animation to tell the stories of young survivors of the war in Ukraine.
With raw vulnerability and poetic artistry, Children in the Fire gives voice to children navigating unimaginable trauma. The film avoids sensationalism, instead offering a compassionate exploration of the strength that emerges amid devastation. The result is a deeply moving piece that aligns closely with AMADE’s mission to protect vulnerable children and support their access to education and healthcare.
The documentary is dedicated not only to Ukraine’s youngest but to children worldwide who have experienced the terror of war, domestic abuse, mass shootings or violence. Their testimonies, shaped by survival and dignity, offer an enduring message of hope that reaches far beyond borders.
Monaco Red Cross Prize awarded to L’Ange de Boutcha
The Monaco Red Cross Prize will be presented to L’Ange de Boutcha, a documentary from France’s Hikari Films that tells the extraordinary true story of Konstantin, a French civilian who risked his life to rescue more than 200 people from the besieged Ukrainian town of Boutcha.
Driven by humanitarian conviction, Konstantin navigated war zones using a Kazakh passport, smuggled civilians out under threat of sniper fire, and documented war crimes including sexual violence. His work, submitted to Ukrainian judicial authorities, has helped build cases for prosecution and brought dignity to those lost through respectful burial and careful record-keeping.
Despite persistent threats and physical danger, Konstantin continues to serve on the front lines, delivering aid and recording testimony. His selfless acts embody the Red Cross values of humanity, impartiality and voluntary service, and the film itself offers a stark yet uplifting portrait of moral courage in action.
Prince Rainier III Special Prize highlights marine rewilding
The Prince Rainier III Special Prize for Environmental Documentary will go to Rewilding Sharks, a visually stunning and urgent film produced by CNA and Kraken Film. Shot across Indonesia and Hong Kong, the documentary follows young marine biologist Nesha Ichida and her team as they work to reintroduce leopard sharks into their native habitats around Raja Ampat.
What begins as a scientific mission becomes a deeply human narrative, centred on the story of a single juvenile shark named Myra. As Nesha works to prepare Myra for life in the wild, their unlikely bond symbolises a broader effort to repair damaged ecosystems and restore balance to ocean life.
Rewilding Sharks not only showcases breathtaking underwater footage, but also highlights the delicate interplay between community, science and nature. It is a compelling tribute to Prince Rainier III’s enduring legacy in environmental protection and reflects the mission of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to safeguard marine biodiversity for future generations.
Spotlight on human spirit and planetary healing
These three award-winning films encapsulate the spirit of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival’s Special Prizes: shining a light on underreported issues, celebrating extraordinary individuals, and giving global audiences stories that inspire both empathy and action.
As Laurent Puons, General Manager of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, stated: “Each of these films transcends the boundaries of genre to tell human stories that matter. They remind us of television’s extraordinary power to witness, to challenge, and to connect.”
The Special Prizes will be presented at the Closing Ceremony of the 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Tuesday 17th June, in the presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at the Grimaldi Forum.
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