Monte Carlo Film Festival of Comedy 2025

The 22nd Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival, an event created and chaired by Ezio Greggio, which took place from November 12 to 15 at the Grimaldi Forum, concluded with resounding success.

Following the jury's verdict, the following awards were presented:

Best Film Award: The Dinner by Manurel Gómez Pereira

For its masterful direction and its ability to address a sensitive and still painful subject like Francoism with intelligence and humor, without ever losing emotional depth. The film combines rhythm and tension with meticulous historical reconstruction and a use of music that perfectly complements the narrative. Pure emotion and entertainment.

Best Director Award: Leaving One Day by Amélie Bonnin

For the sensitivity and delicacy with which she constructs each scene and directs her actors. Shot after shot, Amélie Bonnin captures the emotional complexity of family relationships, seamlessly integrating elements of the musical into everyday life. The result is a fresh and harmonious narrative, a lucid portrait of the struggles of a young woman facing life.

Award for Best Actress

Juliette Armanet - Leaving One Day by Amélie Bonnin
Juliette Armanet embodies a modern and self-aware woman who, despite her inner conflicts, never loses her grace. She sings, skates, and cooks with her character, making her believable and strong. A performance by an actress capable of transforming actions into poetry.

Award for Best Actor (tie)

Guillermo Francella - Homo Sapiens?

For his ability to give form, depth, and sixteen different nuances to the recurring characters in this episodic film. Francella reinvents himself with incredible interpretive versatility. A true champion.

Mads Mikkelsen - The Last Viking

For his delicate approach to the theme of mental illness and his ability to imbue the character with dignity through an intense and moving performance. Translating the perfect script into impeccable looks and gestures, Mikkelsen delivers a performance of rare precision.

On Saturday, November 15, the awards ceremony, hosted by Ezio Greggio, welcomed numerous celebrities to the stage: actresses Madalina Ghenea and Iaia Forte; Gabriele Mainetti, producer, director, and actor; Paolo Genovese, screenwriter, director, and writer, who received the MCFF Special Award for the great public and critical success of his latest film, "Follemente"; and Giovanni Veronesi, screenwriter, director, and radio host. Applause was also given to Daniel McVicar, American actor, director, and producer, at the Monte-Carlo Film Festival as a jury member and president of the short film competition. The Short Comedy Award 2025 was presented to the short film Andromeda (Russian Federation), directed by Anna Melykian.

Franco Nero received a standing ovation and was awarded the MCFF "Mito del Cinema - Legend Award" for his lifetime achievement.

Laughter and moments of emotion were plentiful with three leading figures of Italian comedy: Lino Banfi received the prestigious MCFF Legend Award and a second standing ovation. Massimo Boldi, actor, comedian, and film producer, received a long round of applause, shared memories of his time in film and cabaret, and was awarded the MCFF Award. Vincenzo Salemme, actor, comedian, playwright, director, and screenwriter, received the Monte-Carlo Film Festival Special Prize.

Finally, Gerry Scotti, host of quiz shows and hit programs, won the MCFF Exploit Award, a special award for his significant contribution to Italian television entertainment.

This year's Marlu' Award for Social Commitment was presented to Madalina Ghenea, an artist who has transformed her talent into a means of conveying authentic values ​​and meaningful messages, and who has distinguished herself not only through her artistic sensibility but also through her concrete commitment to initiatives with a strong social impact. There was also great anticipation surrounding Gipsy's Kings Way by Pablo Reyes, a founding member of the original lineup, who brought the energy and passion of the flamenco tradition to the stage, reinterpreting the hits of the iconic group.

It was a particularly significant moment for Pablo Reyes, who received a lifetime achievement award for the value and importance of his musical journey and for keeping the artistic legacy of the Gipsy Kings alive