PRESS RELEASE

21^st ANGEL FILM AWARDS – MONACO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Angel Film Awards founders and festival director Rosana Golden and festival executive producer Dean Bentley are pleased to announce the following....

21 - 24 NOVEMBER 2025 - 13:30 OPEN PRESS CALL & PHOTO CALL
ART NOVO LOUNGE – LEVEL 0 – NOVOTEL – MONTE CARLO

The Angel Film Awards VIP press and photo call will take place on level 0 at the Art Novo Lounge - Novotel, Monte Carlo. There will be a photo and interview opportunity with attending filmmakers and cast

OFFICIAL JURY PANEL

We Announce the 21^st Angel Film Awards – Monaco International Film Festival JURY PRESIDENT TOMA ENACHE, AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR FROM ROMANIA; Actress, Presenter, Producer, Director ANGELA MRAD - LEBANON; Official Jury Members and Host – The Award Winning Writer, Director SUMATHY RAM; LOU HAMILTON International Author based in London

THE AFA-MIFF HONORING THE SCREENWRITERS - AND THE WINNING CATEGORIES ARE BEING ANNOUNCED BY THE JURY PRESIDENT TOMA ENACHE - DAME OF CEREMONIES SUMATHY RAM and LOU HAMILTON

The Closing Award Ceremony will be hosted by the US Award Winning Writer and Director SUMATHY RAM

THE OFFICIAL ANGEL FILM AWARDS PHOTOGRAPHER AND FILMING TEAM

We would like to announce our team of amazing Photographers and Cinematographers who will be weaving their magic at the festival: CHRISTOPHER JONES, UK and SAHAANA RAM, US – The multi talented 16 year old Sahaana are being fostered by the Angel Film Awards – Monaco International Film Festival. She is an emerging photographer from the USA with a keen eye for capturing bold, beautiful, and thought-provoking moments. Through her lens, she transforms everyday scenes into striking visual stories, reflecting curiosity and intention in every shot.

NEW AT THE FESTIVAL

The Angel Film Awards – Monaco International Film Festival now fosters talent in art, music, and film. Encouraging and promoting individual skills through support and opportunities...where talent can grow and be seen in an International environment...creating clear pathways of opportunities in the industry of film and entertainment.

Press Release / Film Festival Media Profile
Ryuichi Asaka, Age 15

The final disciple of Yukisono Yoshimura, trained under Living National Treasure Yuuki Yoshimura, 4th-generation head of the Yoshimura School of Kamigata-mai. Since beginning his training at the age of six,Ryuichi Asaka has inherited the heart and techniques of Yoshimura-style Kamigata-mai, and has been recognized as a young dancer bringing the beauty of classical Japanese dance into the modern era.

He has performed at prestigious venues such as dedication dances at Jōkyō-ji and Ryūsen-ji Temples in Nara, the Noh stage of Tenkawa Shrine, Yamamoto Noh Theatre, National Theatre Tokyo, Osaka Bunraku Theatre, Takamatsu Castle, and Ritsurin Garden. His performance at Takamatsu Castle was featured in The Yomiuri Shimbun, drawing great attention. Additionally, during the New Year Ceremony at Zentsuji Temple—the birthplace of Kōbō Daishi (founder of Shingon Buddhism)—he performed before Director Sugachijun and received the sacred otoso, with the photograph appearing on the cover of Shuuhou Magazine, an extremely honorable recognition.

Kamigata-mai values harmony in a tatami room, considering the fittings, tatami, and angles, weaving the beauty of movement and stillness. The Yoshimura style, in particular, is known as “the dance of the heart,” emphasizing rich expression of stories and emotions.Ryuichi’s teacher, Yukisono Yoshimura, serves as a board member of the Yoshimura School, a cultural contributor to Kagawa Prefecture, and a Takamatsu Tourism Ambassador. She has also performed before the Emperor of Japan and has received high acclaim both domestically and internationally for her modern reinterpretations of traditional dance.

Ryuichi Asaka is her closest disciple, carrying forward this spirit.

In this performance, Ryuichi Asaka will present a selected excerpt from the classical Jiuta dance, “Shakkyo (The Stone Bridge)”, portraying the noble spirit of the lion and the elegance of the peony with a poised presence and rich emotion. With the heart of tradition as his foundation, Ryuichi is a young master bringing a fresh wind of dance to the future.

Press Release / Film Festival Media Profile
Sahaana Ram, Age 16
The AFA-MIFF nurturing young talent presenting Sahaana Ram at the AFA-MIFF

Sahaana Ram is an emerging photographer from the USA with a keen eye for capturing bold, beautiful, and thought-provoking moments. Through her lens, she transforms everyday scenes into striking visual stories, reflecting curiosity and intention in every shot.

Beyond the lens, Sahaana explores the world through art and music, letting creativity guide her every stroke and note. She is exceptionally talented in math and chess, finding both joy and inspiration in patterns, strategy, and challenges. Whether composing a melody, sketching a scene, or planning a brilliant move on the board, she approaches each pursuit with the same curiosity, intention, and passion that defines her photography. Sahaana’s fascination with architecture adds another layer to her artistic vision. She delights in drawing intricate line sketches of ancient buildings, particularly antiquely rich temple structures, capturing the harmony of form, history, and detail that speaks to her love of both authentic design and visual storytelling.

JOURNALISTIC COVERAGE TV

Capturing the moment Brazil live from Monaco to Brazil

Grupo BANDEIRANTES is one of the main communication groups in Brazil, largest free-to-air television networks in Brazil, known for its strength in jounalism, sports and entertainment, with VHF channel 13, , currently digital channel 22 and pay TV, with addition to the main channels: 1. BandSports, 2. Arte: channel dedicated to art & culture, with programs about music, cinema, theater and visual arts.

There will be additional French and Italian press corps and Japanese Television on arts and entertainment.

! FESTIVAL LINE UP !

The festival line up consists of 15 premiere films and 5 screenplay nominees from around the globe have been officially selected for the Angel Film Awards. The final votes of winners are decided by the jury members at the end of all film screenings.

THE 2025 OFFICIAL SELECTION SCREENPLAY NOMINEES

“ONE TOUCH AWAY” Written by LINDSEY ANN TALBOT (US)