Paul Haggis, the acclaimed director, screenwriter and film producer, twice Oscar winner, will preside over the jury of the 19th edition of the Montecarlo Film Festival de la Comédie, which will take place from 25 to 30 April in the Principality of Monaco. This year too, the Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco is ready to welcome the public and numerous international talents, ensuring that the Kermesse will take place in complete safety.

After guests and jury presidents of the caliber of Claude Lelouch, Emir Kusturica, Nick Vallelonga and Raoul Bova, just to name a few, this year's jury president will be Paul Haggis, the world-famous filmmaker who won an Oscar for “Crash”.

Created and directed by Ezio Greggio, the Monte-Carlo Film Festival is one of the most important festivals in the world dedicated to comedy. This year it will take place in the prestigious Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, where the various rooms will host screenings and masterclasses with the most beloved protagonists of international, Italian and French cinema, culminating with the usual Gala evening and awards ceremony on Saturday 30 April.

Ezio Greggio: “With the arrival of Paul Haggis, director, screenwriter and producer, winner of two Oscars and many other awards, the Monte Carlo Film Festival continues its tradition of having great Presidents. Paul is a great connoisseur of cinema, an ironic person full of humor, he loves comedy and we adore him and we await him with open arms here in the Principality with films arriving from Canada, Colombia, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden and other countries.”

Paul Haggis: “I’ve often been asked to list my favorite films and I always refuse. It’s impossible. As soon as I list ten, I think of twenty more, so I just can’t do it. That said, if I were to actually list them, I think some people would be surprised that movie comedies would top the list for me (…) “I’m thrilled to be president of the jury this year and I can’t wait to laugh out loud with the others – binge-watching – in a dark room all week. Thank you for letting me do that and allowing me to add more titles to that list of – favorite – films that I’ll never make (...)”

A high-profile name of the utmost importance, Paul Haggis (“Million Dollar Baby”, “Casino Royale”, “In the Valley of Elah”, “The Next Three Days”) boasts a long and rich cinematographic production which saw him as the protagonist in the role of screenwriter and director of “Crash”, of which he wrote the direction and screenplay, which triumphed at the 2006 Oscars, winning three statuettes for best film, best original screenplay and best editing.

The main purpose of the Montecarlo Film Festival is to promote and spread the different genres of comedy through film previews in and out of competition. A unique showcase in the international panorama for a genre much loved by the public, but usually considered "minor" by critics, which thanks to the commitment of Ezio Greggio and the late Mario Monicelli (co-founder of the Festival), has in fact re-evaluated comedy also in other international festivals such as Cannes, Rome and Venice.

Also this year, the Monte Carlo Comedy Festival, considered one of the most important and significant film festivals exclusively dedicated to comedy, which over the years has received growing appreciation from audiences and critics worldwide, opens, after the success of the past edition, a section entirely dedicated to short films, the Short Comedy Award, dedicated to directors, actors, producers who make short cinematographic comedies. All information and registrations available through “ Filmfreeway “ one of the largest international festival sites.

The event, in collaboration with EFG Bank (Monaco), has always taken place under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Italian Embassy. Like last year, Radio Monte Carlo is the official Radio of the Festival.