Lights, Camera, Compassion: Who Won The Monaco Charity Film Festival?

The Monaco Charity Film Festival, now in its 19th edition, is an annual celebration of cinema and compassion held in the heart of Monaco, Monte Carlo, this year at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort on May 13th, fast on the heels of the Historic Grand Prix. The festival is not just about showcasing outstanding films with great stories but also about making a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged children worldwide.

Through the magic of filmmaking, the aim is to raise awareness, inspire action, and contribute to the well-being of children who deserve every chance to thrive and succeed.

And the festival is an enchanting affair, filled with captivating performances, this year notably by the sons of the singing group Gipsy Kings, accompanied by mesmerizing dance routines.

And then the true highlight of the evening was the showing of “Unbroken Ties,” based on a story by Mary K. Yap.

“Unbroken Ties,” based on this novel story by Mary K. Yap, clinching the Best Feature Film Award. Accolades flowed … a testament to the profound impact of the film’s narrative.

In attendance representing the film were Executive Producer Peter K. Yap, Co-Director Grace Swe Zin Htaik, and Mary K. Yap Foundation Board Member Jean Luc Kouyoumji. The Monaco Charity Film Festival gave the film, which had not yet been released, its successful European premiere. It drew praise for its powerful story and stellar performances.

“Unbroken Ties” stellar cast included Myanmar Academy Award Winners Htun Aeindra Bo, Lu Min, and Co-Director Grace Swe Zin Htaik. Grace Swe Zin Htaik, a luminary in the film industry with a repertoire spanning over 200 movies, was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Mary K. Yap Foundation, in collaboration with Mandalay Productions (USA), produced “Unbroken Ties” with a noble mission. The film serves as a vehicle to support and elevate orphanages across Asia and Africa, benefiting over 10,000 orphans and 100+ orphanages through their initiatives.

100 percent of the fundraising proceeds from the film will be channeled towards the Mary K. Yap Foundation’s efforts to establish clean water filtrations in orphanages under the umbrella of the #H2Ohope campaign.

This aligns with this year’s Charity Film Festival’s focus on helping children from orphanages in the Philippines and Myanmar, also supporting programs led by the Virlanie Street Children Foundation, programs that that seek to end hunger, promote education and improve healthcare.

Screenings were free of charge.
Q& A sessions followed the screenings, with an opportunity to meet and even have a picture taken with the film makers in person.
Hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments were served during and after the films.

Here is the complete film line-up:

• Je suis un clown (I am a clown) 7 minutes – France – French language
• Beautiful Jinn – 82 mins – Iran – Persian language
• Note de Coeur (Heart Scent) – 4 mins – France – French language
• Shanti – 12 mins – Nepal – English
• Le Silence des Lames  (The Silence of the Blades)– 16 mins – Côte d’Ivoire – French language
• Have you another apple – 90 mins – Iran – Persian language
• The closing film was the European Premiere of Unbroken Ties, 93 mins, the eventual winner of the Festival inspired by the true story of a Burmese orphan’s journey to find himself in America.

HelloMonaco applauds the Independent and Emerging Filmmakers who make movies from their hearts and their Monaco screenings through the MCFF that help children around the world.