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With the red-carpet at Monte Carlo, Monaco rolled out, the 21st edition of the Angel Film Awards unfolded not just as a showcase of cinematic art, but an impressive global gathering spotlighting the power of empathy, diversity and cross-cultural collaboration.
The prestigious Angel Film Awards – the centerpiece of the Monaco International Film Festival this year featured 15 films premiers from across the world, drawing filmmakers, actors and cultural luminaries to Monte Carlo’s historic Art Novo Theatre. As the poster depicts a musical angel, designed by Lawrence Cartel, a father of digital art, and emphasizes compassion and non-violence, and the AFA event prioritizes peace, harmony, and a shared humanity.
The Angel Film Awards this year featured Sumathy Ram as its official host and one of its respected jury members. Her presence in Monaco, as an American Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, songwriter, and music producer, exemplifies the growing presence of Indian films in international festivals. Ram brought to the jury’s table not just her film’s sensibilities, but a deeper ethos informed by her involvement in socially conscious art.
As the Angel Film Awards’ jurist, Ram joined a distinguished panel entrusted with evaluating films that, beyond artistic merit, resonated with human values. Angela Mrad, who is a Lebanon filmmaker and peace ambassador, Lou Hamilton, who has a long history in film and television, and Ram were all members of the jury. Toma Enache, a Romanian filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and producer who pioneered Aromanian-language cinema, led the jury panel.
As Ram later stated “None of this would be possible without the steady vision of the festival’s founders, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to Rosana Golden, the Festival Director, and Dean Bentley, the Festival Producer and Director of Programming. Their dedication has shaped the Angel Film Awards into a space unlike any other, a festival committed to peaceful cinema, human connection, and artistic sincerity. Rosana’s eye for detail and Dean’s tireless work behind the scenes kept the festival moving with grace and purpose. Their partnership is the quiet force holding everything together.”
An out-of-competition music video titled ‘EMPATHY’ made its debut at the festival’s inaugural program, directed by Sairam Sagiraju, whose VR films are well-known. Ram and the director both shared credit for producing this music video that featured a song from the album, GANDHI: Mantras of Compassion by Kej, Tina Guo, Masa Takumi, and Kailash Satyarthi.
Kej, the 3-time GRAMMY award winning composer of the music album ‘GANDHI: Mantras of Compassion’, stated that this new music video for EMPATHY is based on the timeless hymn ‘Vishnava’, which was Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite hymn, and we must do everything we can to ensure that every child reaches their full potential.
The selection of this film as the opener encapsulates the festival’s commitment to cinema that not only entertains but enlightens and provokes meaningful conversations.
According to Sairam Sagiraju, the music video director of EMPATHY, who is also a renowned filmmaker, the film’s story is inspired by the life of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi. Presented the story about children who they believe are agents of change, and concluded the film with a title card declaring, ‘Let Every child be free to be a Child.’
The film tells the stark yet hopeful story of two 12-year-olds – one born into privilege, the other caught in the horrors of child slavery – and charts how their lives converge through compassion and understanding.
Ram, who was a part of the music video production and the co-producer of the music album, attributed Narsinha Mehta’s verse ‘Vaishnava Janato’ as the origin for the song that was written in the 15th century. She underlined the significance of empathy, a quiet yet powerful force that we should cultivate to spread compassion and save humanity in both small and large ways. She took the inspiration from the Indian government’s commemorative stamp released in 1967 and worked with an esteemed artist to paint the oil painting artwork of the poet.
Through this dual role, both as evaluator and creator, Ram bridges worlds: the world of global film curation and the world of socially engaged storytelling. She shared her affection for cinema that emphasizes listening instead of shouting, reflecting instead of reacting, and connecting instead of dividing.
Ram’s background as an award-winning director and writer of Vishwa Thulasi has fueled her passion to continue her cinematic journey. Her genuine love for poetry, art, music, and literature was the driving force behind the transformation of her multiple award-winning script ‘LAJJAWATI’ into a musical film project. Her passion is strengthened by being a co-producer for Gandhi: Mantras of Compassion.
Ram and Kej collaborated on a song show of LAJJAWATI centered around a tribute to the great Sufi poet, “India’s parrot” – a legend– Amir Khusrau – a poet laureate of King Qaiqabad at Delhi in 1286 A.D, which were influenced by their admiration for the poet and the theme of religious and spiritual harmony. Ram is currently focused on a new music album, ‘VISWARAGAM’ that honors M.S. Viswanathan, which is scheduled for release, and it is a tribute to the musical icon from South India.
For India, Ram’s role represents more than individual achievement, it reflects a larger cultural convergence. Her journey underscores a growing recognition of Indian voices on global stages, especially in arenas that value social themes and cross-cultural dialogue. Through the Angel Film Awards, Indian sensibilities rooted in centuries-old traditions of compassion, pluralism and humanism find a respectful audience beyond national boundaries.
The Angel Film Awards have carved a unique niche among international festivals. The festival maintains an intimate, high-impact format where each entry is chosen with care – whether for its narrative, global relevance, or emotional depth. The presence of international celebrities alongside seasoned filmmakers gave the festival a cosmopolitan ambience and yet, the underlying atmosphere remained grounded in sincere appreciation for films that speak to universal human truths.
Festivals like Monaco’s Angel Film Awards matter precisely because they challenge the boundaries of cinema. They call upon storytellers to explore not just aesthetics, they urge audiences to reflect on societal injustices and humanity. For Indian creators and audiences, Ram’s very presence in the jury and as a producer signals opportunity: the chance to tell stories rooted in Indian values, yet universal in appeal. It encourages collaboration across geographies through music, film, and culture. It reinforces the idea that art can transcend nationalism, and that empathy is a language spoken the world over.
As the curtains fell in Monte Carlo, the conversations started and bridges built continue beyond. For many others who walked the red carpet, this edition of the Angel Film Awards may well mark the beginning of a larger journey, one where Indian creativity, anchored in compassion and cultural integrity, finds an enduring place on the world stage.
Rosana Golden, the festival founder, has voiced her gratitude, which has enhanced the praise for Ram’s hosting role at the AFA-MIFF: “I am very happy with Sumathy’s hosting, including her personality, which is very charming, feminine and powerful. She presents herself on stage like an angel on earth. She has empathy, intelligence, and humanity.”
With these awards rooted in the human values of non-violence and compassion, the event became even more elevated.
If the spirit behind the festival has shown anything, it is this: the most powerful films are those that unite us in our shared humanity; and the most meaningful awards are those that honour empathy above everything else; and the most thoughtful filmmakers and screenwriters are those who go above and beyond to achieve their mission of bringing their dreams to life.
