The press conference for the presentation of the festival took place at the Monte-Carlo Bay & Resort on Tuesday 26th of April at 11.30 am. This year's jury was present with the two-time Oscar winner Paul Haggis, as President, flanked by actors Tom Leeb, Clara Ponsot and Pierpaolo Spollon.

"From Monte-Carlo we send our signal of hope and a message of peace to the world, all of us are united through comedy - said the creator and President of the Festival, Ezio Greggio, who added - This year the film selection is dedicated to Monica Vitti, an icon and incredible character of italian and international cinema".

Jury President Paul Haggis continues: "It’s true that we will spend a beautiful week here in Monte-Carlo watching comedies, but it’s important to remember now also the Ukrainian people who, twist of fate, are led by a man who was a comedian".

During the press conference they talked about cinema, comedy, the selection of this edition and of course also about projects that closely concern the other members of the jury.

Tom Leeb said: “I'm a musician as well as an actor, and music allows me to express myself in another way. I definitely feel free. I inherited something from my father and his profession, but it’s important that people judge me for who I am and what I do, not because I have a famous surname. I'm writing a new script and preparing a new album. And then, there is a series, called "Les Combattantes", which will be released at the end of the year on Netflix".

For Clara Ponsot and her career Italy remains important: "I am happy to be here for the Festival, it will be a great experience in the jury. My next project will be in France, but in Italy I have always worked with enthusiasm and I would like to work again with Emanuele Crialese, and I’d like to start a collaboration with Alice Rohrwacher, Matteo Garrone and Paolo Sorrentino ”.

On Monday evening, it was the out-of-competition film “Competencia Oficial” that opened the screenings. The comedy, written and directed by Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn, with Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martinez, was appreciated and applauded.