PRESS RELEASE :The ANGEL FILM AWARDS 2017 ANNOUNCE WINNERS
The 15th Angel Film Awards – Monaco International Film Festival – announced their winners at a gala evening reception at the Art Novo Cinema Space – at the Novotel Monte Carlo December 6th
This year’s theme for the Monaco Angel Film Awards was about loneliness, family values, love, suspense and WW2 true events how to move forward and about Immigration, followed by lucid dreams.
The goal and purpose for Rosana Golden, festival executive director & creative director, and Dean Bentley, festival executive producer – director of programming, is to showcase non-violent films in a world that is too often dominated by violence. Also to encourage new, young and mature film making talent from whose work to be show-cased and premiered at the festival.
Speaking at the occasion of Angel Film Award ceremony Goodwill Ambassador Dr. MARTHA HART (the Canadian best-selling author, award winning filmmaker, producer and also the founder of the Owen Hart Foundation ) said,
“I am so honored to be chosen as this year’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Angel Film Awards – Monaco International Film Festival on their 15th Anniversary. The AFA in Monaco is the ONLY film festival in the world that promotes Non-Violent Film, and in a world where gun violence and terrorism is commonplace. The festival founders Rosana Golden and Dean Bentley should be highly commended for sending such an important message. MIFF’s message also aligns with The Owen Hart Foundation’s goal of promoting global kindness and Canada’s mission in the world – to be the ultimate peacekeepers”, stated Dr. Martha Hart founder of The Owen Hart Foundation.
Monaco international film festival highlights
The Angel Film Awards jury was led by the British actor Guy Siner (known for his role as Lieutenant Gruber) in the British television series ‘Alo ‘Alo! Was the most successful comedy series the B.B.C. has ever produced and still is shown in more than 80 Countries. Guy Siner played in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and David Lynch’s awards winning film ‘Lost Highway’
This year’s attending actors were: Venezuelan actor Henry Zakka, actress Alexandra Brown, Spanish actress Ana Turpin, Italian actor Nello Nappi, Japanese actress Sarina Enoki, French actress Marie Carpentier; French actress Eliza Calmat, Italian actress Antonella Salvucci; British actress Robyn Rainford; British actress Daniela Spataru, British actress Sue Brooke Miles, British actress Ana MacKay; British actress Molly Bass, Japanese actress Mariya Nagao, British actor Maurice Byrne, Canadian actor and musician Avalon Stanley (Darryl Hopkins), Belgium actress Lirji Ibrahimi, Belgium actor Dominique Perrin, Dutsch actress Carlotte Quanjel, Russian actress Vassa Kuzmina, British actor Laurie Calvert, British actress Sadie Frost, British actress Sophie Kennedy Clark, Bristish model & actress Felicity Gilbert, Chinese actor Li Xiaochuan, Chinese actor Li Longjun.
Film Producer Kent Walwin Interview
Shekhar Kapur Interview
Bollywood vs Hollywood vs British Films -Documentary
THE WINNERS 2017
2017 Feature Film – Winning Categories:
The European Premiere ‘UMA’ feature (US – Venezuelan & Italian) film picked up the coveted ANGEL TROPHY AWARD FOR THE FILM THAT BEST EXPRESSES THE SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL & Best Feature Film
‘UMA’ picked up 4 more awards for Best Female Actress: ALEXANDRA BRAUN; Best Male Supporting Actor: HENRY ZAKKA; Best Female Supporting Actress: ANA TURPIN; Film Editing Feature Film by ALAIN MAIKI
The Chinese comedy – drama feature ‘INTERLOPER’ scooped 6 awards including the important HUMANITARIAN ANGEL FILM AWARD & Best Director Award went to YANG DAJIANG; Best Cinematographer: MENG XIAOQING; Best Male Actor: LI XIAOCHUAN; Best Feature Film Script: to YANG DAJIANG ‘INTERLOPER’ (CHINA); Best Producer: GE QIWEN ‘INTERLOPER’ (CHINA)
The Independent Spirit Award – awarded to the British Feature Film ‘LUCID’ winning Best Ensemble Cast: LAURIE CALVERT; BILLY ZANE; SOPHIE KENNEDY CLARK; FELICITY GILBERT; SADIE FROST; CRISTIAN SOLIMEN; winner Best Production Design & Best Costume Design: NIINA TOPP (UK)
The Angel Peace Award was awarded to the feature documentary ‘THE TOUCH OF AN ANGEL’ Poland/Germany
Feature Documentary Film – Winning Category:
Best Feature Documentary: ‘THE GREEN PARK’ (UK) British Film Directed by JUSTIN HARDY
Short Film – Winning Categories:
Canadian drama ‘TOUCH’ wins Best Short Film, Best Director NOEL HARRIS; Best Male Actor: DARRYL HOPKINS aka AVALON STANLEY ‘TOUCH’ (CANADA)
Chinese World Premiere – Fantasy/Drama ‘ABDULLAH’S WONDERLAND’ wins Best Ensemble Cast: MIRZAT ABDUAINNI; GULIPIA JILILI; ARSLAN ABDUKELIAM; MUHAMMAD SIYITY; MAYILA MIJITY; EYKRAM AINIWAR and wins Best Original Music: HAMULAT NURMAMAT; Best Cinematographer: LIU DAPENG
Best Newcomer for his lead role in ‘LISTEN’ MATHIEU DENESLE FRANCE
Best Female Actor: SARINA ENOKI her lead role in ‘OTOME SAKURA’ (JAPAN) another win for Best Short Film Script: HIROYUKI YOKOYAMA
British Short Film ‘LETTERS TO APRIL’ wins Best Film Editing: by PHILIPPA CARSON; Best Costume Design: JONATHAN BURNISTON and Best Female Supporting Actor: DANIELA SPATARU in ‘LETTERS TO APRIL’ (UK)
Best Male Supporting Actor: CHRIS BEARNE in ‘RED AND THE BLUES’ (UK)
The Independent Spirit Award – awarded to the Indian & Russian Short Film ‘IN LOVING MEMORY’ film also wins Best Production Design: TANMOY CHAKRABORTY
Special Mention Angel Film Award: went to ‘NAOKI ‘TIME IS LIFE’ (JAPAN) and Best Original Story awarded to ‘NAOKI TIME IS LIFE’
Best Arthouse Film the Award went to: ‘THE WRITER’ (BELGIUM)
THE 2017 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The festival director and AFA founders Rosana Golden and producer Dean Bentley, would like to acknowledge to award the Angel Film Award – Lifetime Achievement Award to British Actor GUY SINER for his contribution to British Film – Television and Theatre
2017 OFFICIAL JURY PANEL Was led by the British Actor GUY SINER (Jury President); The Italian actress, model & TV Presenter Antonella Salvucci Host & Jury Member; Jury Members French actress Eliza Calmat; Russian actress Vassa Kuzmina; Dutch actress Charlotte Quanjel
Presenting the 2017 Screenplay awards was Tammi Christopher a Canadian award winning journalist
WE CONGRATULATE THE 2017 OFFICIAL ANGEL FILM AWARD SCREENPLAY WINNERS
“IN WONDERLAND” ‘Feature Screenplay’ Written by Summer STARRS (USA) BEST DRAMATIC COMEDY
“IN WONDERLAND” ‘Feature Screenplay’ Written by Summer STARRS (USA) BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“ANCHOR BABY” ‘Feature Screenplay’ Written by Ran JING (USA/China) BEST FAMILY COMEDY
“ANCHOR BABY” ‘Feature Screenplay’ Written by Ran JING (USA/China) SPECIAL MENTION SCREENPLAY
“SEA DOGS” ‘Feature Screenplay’ Written by Robbie MOFFAT (UK) BEST ROMANTIC COMEDY
“SEA DOGS” ‘Feature Screenplay’ Written by Robbie MOFFAT (UK) BEST INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
“LETTERS TO APRIL” ‘Short Screenplay’ Written by Amanda BRENNAN (UK) BEST HISTORICAL DRAMA
“DISDAIN” ‘Short Screenplay’ Written by Mike COLQUHOUN (France/UK) BEST COMEDY NOIR