American Arts Pioneer and Humanitarian now Queen Consort of a Historic African Cocoa Town celebrates 10 Years at Cannes Film Festival with theme: “Plant Trees Not War”
During the 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival, American former beauty Queen, and arts & entertainment pioneer dubbed, “Ventriloquist Queen,” and “Royal Puppet Performer,” by BBC Focus on Africa, BBC World Services, BBC News, hosted three Signature events in an effort towards world peace and tolerance from May 19-22, 2022. The Queen Consort of the oldest cocoa plantation in Nigeria known as the Kingdom of Eti-Oni located in the rainforest belt of Sub-Sahara West Africa in Osun State came back to Cannes Film Festival for 10 years of consistent initiatives for Peace with film veterans, influencers and humanitarians in an effort to promote the planet and ending of war and launching a 10 year global awareness campaign from 2022-2032, "Plant Trees Not War".
Now bearing the title, Her Royal Majesty Queen Angelique-Monet, Her Majesty Yeyeluwa Olori of Eti-Oni and for short, Queen Angelique-Monet of Eti-Oni through marriage to His Majesty, the Oloni of Eti-Oni, Oba (King) Dokun Thompson Gureje IV, is the Founder and Visionary of New Generation In Action (NGIA) and AFI World Peace Initiative (AFIWPI) which is the main initiative to help fulfil the United Nations SDG2030 Goals. NGIA, the year round global organization is supported by the United Nations and holds “Consultative Status,” through Economic and Social Council. Over the last decade, the group had a presence at the Cannes Film Festival and in 2020, the Signature event was held virtually due to the pandemic the NGO even hosted two Signature events during the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. Many of the alumni of Her Royal Majesties initiatives have gone on to become bestselling authors, producers and directors of Hollywood pictures and veterans that also have a humanitarian background and honoured for their positively impacting "films of purpose". Some of the Hollywood Alumni include veterans Danny Glover, Ron Perlman, Graham Greene, Jeff Bridges, Bryce Dallas Howard, the late Peter O’Toole, Barry Alexander Brown.
May 19th, 2022 marked the 10th Annual “World Peace & Tolerance Royal Gala Party” set at the Majestic Hotel Salon from 8.30pm – 11:30 pm hosted by Sicilian Region Sport and Entertainment and Sicilian Film Commission at Casa Sicilia located at the historic 5 star Hotel Majestic Salon on the Croisette. The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by the grand entrance of Founder, Her Royal Majesty Queen Angelique-Monet of Eti-Oni. When the Queen entered the room with her guests, she was greeted with smiles, cheers and whispers of welcome. This was followed by an Introduction of the presentation that aired on BBC TV Show “What’s New,” on May 18 then going from a TV presentation to news, on BBC Focus On Africa, BBC World Services, and BBC News on May 24th 2022 by actress and alumni of AFI World Peace Initiative (AFIWPI) since 2012 Judi Beecher.
Members, guests and others around the world got to learn more about Queen Angelique-Monet’s new life and role as Queen Consort. According to press His Majesty the Oloni of Eti-Oni, Oba (King) Dokun Thompson is one of the most progressive Modern Day African Kings, having been a King since 2008 and is a humanitarian and working in the arts, culture, and environment with a long standing track record globally.
Queen Angelique-Monet was then called to declare open the 2022 Award Presentation Ceremony while the African song “Appreciation,” by Sunny Ade played. It appeared not much had changed. Despite being a recognized Queen through the marriage of a recognized Monarchy, Queen Angelique-Monet is still working hard as before. Opening the event was with her Signature tribute to the Ancestors where she sang a medley of African American Spirituals of over 400 years old. The melodies came from the enslaved Africans during the Transatlantic Slave Trade (melodies they would sing in their languages in Africa that pre-dated 1000s of years and a Native American chant that also predated 1000s of years) and asked everyone to join her in the songs. Queen Angelique-Monet then taught the audience how to build percussions with their body movements which imitated the sound of drums.
Following the brief performance, Her Royal Majesty introduced two time Oscar nominee, Barry Alexander Brown who received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2021 for his 40 year career of working on films that impact social justice with long time filmmaking partner Oscar winner, Spike Lee who congratulated Brown at the festivities in 2021 for also being the first recipient of the new “Embrace Award” in 2021. This year, Barry Alexander Brown in consensus with Honorary Board members presented the “Embrace Award,” in honour of Cocoa Farmers and Farmers world-wide. The Award was presented to Queen Angelique-Monet on behalf of the Kingdom of Eti-Oni’s cocoa farmers and farmers world-wide. Lorenzo Giornelli Commercial Director of Ceramic NOI, a world leader and manufacturer of designer ceramics represented the unique handmade piece by renowned artist Luca Baldelli. Seeing the organization also focuses on artisans and ensuring artisans and culture are preserved, stated “that we are excited Ceramiche NOI, the cooperative that only a few years ago had the prospect of closing and is here today,” as he spoke emotionally handing Barry Alexander Brown the award to present. “It’s one thing to make movies and another to be able to feed the world and we simply do not appreciate that enough. I think it is wonderful they are receiving this ‘Embrace Award’,” stated two time Oscar nominee Barry Alexander Brown/2021 AFIWPI Embrace Award Recipient. Once the Embrace Award was presented Queen Angelique-Monet launched the campaign “Plant Trees Not War” that will promote a safer and healthier environment, addressing deforestation and land degradation, global warming and climate change, as well as gender equality. The climate action will initiate the planting of 10 million trees over the next 10 years not only in the Kingdom of Eti-Oni of Queen Angelique-Monet but in different communities across the West Africa region. There will also be efforts made to promote a campaign to end wars, engage farmers in poor and rural communities in a creative manner towards building their self-worth and return their dignity as part of empowerment of the next generation of farmers to achieve self-sustenance and economic development. The campaign objectives include the World Peace & Tolerance Film Fund, Education and Awareness Programs, Creation of a Digital Archival and Retrieval System, Promotion and Exhibition of Artisans, Fine Artists and Indigenous Cultures, Environmental Protection/Climate Action, Gender Equality, Girl and Women Empowerment
Honorary Board members present included Professor Karl Bardosh and Lawrence David Foldes who elaborated on the work of the organization as well as the passion and dedication of Queen Angelique-Monet to the objectives. Foldes also sent regards from the Academy and expressed satisfaction on how far he had witnessed the organization grow within the 10 years and seeing the global work done including the work and partnership with Eti-Oni Development Group, support for Royal Cocoa International Film Festival that bridges the gap, the 1st festival of its kind world-wide. Professor Karl Bardosh spoke of the support the organization has given with pioneering Smartphone Cinema and awarding such films at Cannes Film Festival.
Simon Sahouri, President of Jackson Family Foundation spoke of knowing Queen Angelique-Monet over a decade and then launched a piece of work with the late Michael Jackson’s hand print and digital video that showed the imprinting of his hands. Additional Special Guests included Manlio Messina - Minister of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment of the Sicialian Region, Nicola Tarantino – Director of the Sicilian Film Commission and Jackie Motsepe - Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission.
“Lifetime Achievement Awardees” included notable actor and producer, Jeff Bridges for his contribution to “Films of Purpose". Bridges was not physically present but made a video presentation and the award was accepted by former film executive Bruno Chatelin and Co-Founder of FilmFestivals.com, who also represents the film “Living In The Future’s Past.”
Jean Bernard (Monaco) also received Lifetime Achievement Award for his “Contribution to the Arts and Humanitarian,” Bernard is a serial entrepreneur, spouse of Debra ARMAN, last muse to Andy WARHOL. Now Bernard is involved with many NGO’s and is Vice President of Reseaux UNESCO Saint Jude Children Hospital. The award was presented by Alumni, Marion Olivia Lechleiter comtesse Von Leuchtenberg.
In 2019, New Generation In Action “Lady of The Year” and “Gentleman of the Year” were created to honour individuals who had achieved without borders or barriers and beyond expectation to help foster a New Generation of Leaders with an Action Plan.
Italian Actress & Humanitarian, Claudia Gerini received the Lady of the Year 2022 Award 2022 while Gianluca Chakra (Top Producer and Distributor) Middle East received the “Gentleman of the Year” 2022 Award. Both recipients were elated and expressed their commitment to support the organization in future activities. Each award was a unique piece of art (a combination of art and manual skills) designed and hand crafted by artist Luca Baldelli made by NOI Ceramics of Italy.
As part of AFI World Peace Initiative’s partnership with Royal Cocoa International Film Festivals founded by Their Royal Majesties of Eti-Oni, Oba (King) Dokun Thompson and Queen Angelique-Monet, RCIFF Awards from the 7 – 11 April 2022 Lagos Edition were presented to Barry Alexander Brown’s “Son of The South,” who won Best Narrative Feature. Director, Barry Alexander Brown, Eve Pomerance and Bill Black were present to speak on the award and how AFI World Peace Initiative had helped create an awareness for the film and extended gratitude to the founder Queen Angelique Monet for the recognition. Also, former Film Executive Bruno Chatelin and FilmFestivals.com spoke highly of the work RCIFF had done in launching films of purpose in the African marketplace and pledged further support for AFI World Peace Initiative’s events and activities to compliment what the international stake holders were already doing.
Internationally renowned fashion designer, Tina Tandon of NYC and Honorary Board Member responded to all the accolades on behalf of the organization and briefly mentioned the role of the group in helping to preserve artisans. She also had a display of works of select artisans “Made in India” and showcased her couture fashion collection made by artisans from India. Raghunath Manet, a member of the organization and master Classical Indian Dancer and Veena player also performed a Veena song from his latest album. Manet has performed all over the world for leading brands including Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel and received the Samman Award from the President of India and “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres,” from the French Ministry of Culture.
Additional highlights included violinist, Natalia van der Mersch who has appeared on national and international stages with Kolner Kammerorchester, the Hamburg Philharmonic and Essen Philharmonic, the Polish Chamber Philharmonic, and more. The event also hosted a fashion show by Russian/Ukrainian Fashion Designer, Angela Shapovalova as a peace gesture to reemphasize the theme of Peace which the organization represents.
Guests enjoyed bubbles, white and red wine from Loacker Wine Estates from Southtyrol and Tuscany known not only for quality but sustainability. The winery is a pioneer in bio-dynamic winemaking in Europe. Villa Laviosa provided gin for gift bags. Additional gifts were sponsored by Premium Confectioneries of Nigeria with a variety of exclusive confectioneries, biscuits, mints and cocoa drink for VIP Guests.
The vote of thanks was given by Honorary Board Member, Remi Andrades who appreciated all the guests and performers for being part of a successful evening and discussed the meaning of the organization and role it plays in world peace advocate through the bringing together of different people and creeds to exchange ideas, values and culture and celebrate one another. The evening was brought to a close by DJ Max Clair from St. Tropez who got the guests on their feet to dance to a mix of several melodies celebrating world peace in a unique and beautiful setting.
The following day, May 20th, the organization hosted World Peace & Tolerance Film Summit where international players in the film business, making films of purpose discussed the impact and role these types of films play on society, culture and education as well as the role Influencers play in conservation, environment, social justice, women and girl child advocacy, New Age technology, AI, smartphone cinema, diversification and also the need for African and Indigenous storytelling to be defined and made for the global marketplace.
Queen Angelique-Monet held a “Conversations With” New Generation In Action Gentleman of the Year 2022, Gianluca Chakra, an entertainment pioneer and distributor. Andre Semenza presented Artificial Intelligence “Turning to Birds”. As part of the Jewish relations segment, “After Bringing Back The Dead Back To Life” and winner of “Best Jewish Relations” and “Best Art Film”, Eve Pomerance and Bill Black presented again the trailer and speech from multi-disciplinary and two time Emmy winner, Richard Kroehling. Professor Karl Bardosh spoke of the years of his mother surviving the Holocaust and the incident at the Danube Bank when he was a baby and their survival because she could not swim. Eve Pomerance and Bill Black who are producers represented Kroehling and in their response expressed gratitude and appreciation for the organization to support such projects that bring international awareness and presence to films of purpose.
The event concluded with "What is Next" with Queen Angelique-Monet providing a detailed outline showing the achievements of the organization from 2012-2022 and the plan for the next 10 years from 2022-2032 leading up to and just after the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. So far, to date, the United Nations is behind schedule and organizations such as New Generation In Action's AFI World Peace Initiative and partnerships are in a better position to help meet the goals of SDG2030. However, apart from the pandemic of COVID-19, wars and famine including climate change have disrupted the global ecosystem, increasing the issues and challenges of the task involved.
On May 22nd 2022, Queen Angelique-Monet and alumni/New Generation In Action “Lady of the Year 2021, Michela Scolari PhD presented Manlio Messina-Minister of Tourism, Sport, and Entertainment of the Sicilian Region and Nicola Tarantino Director of the Sicilian Film Commission with “Region of Honor” and spoke of the need and importance for the organization to be abl e to exchange ideas, culture and arts with such regions who appreciated the values in relation to transformation and achieving peace.
“For me our organization has done our best to be that voice during the Cannes Film Festival of the unseen and unheard. Now we can use our influence to save our planet by planting trees instead of planting war in the minds of our youths so we are not remembered in history, hundreds of years to come, as having done nothing but allowed life to be destroyed as shown in a science fiction film. Now we have a voice and Mother Nature cannot survive how we are treating her and as humans we must do our best to live in harmony with Mother Nature and end all this war that creates boundaries and destroys our planet, our humanity and identity. On our part, we use film and the arts as that medium and now we are launching initiatives that can restore our planet back to its beauty, and what better place than Cannes Film Festival as a wonderful platform for us all to come together in a global marketplace to celebrate world peace, films of purpose, and individuals that spend their life championing causes for positive change. Time has passed from a beautiful initiative started in the Hamptons, USA to hosting at Cannes Film Festival and since 2016 becoming a United Nations supported organization. Now we are a family and each alumni often supports each other to give hope in these unprecedented times and together, we survive through partnerships and collaborations as well as volunteers. Family are often those with whom you share the same values. Once you are with us, you become family and at the Cannes Film festival, everyone that attends our events becomes part of a loving and global family with like minds to share love. We thank Cannes Film Festival Staff and Organizers for 75 years of excellence and are very proud of our side event during the festival and in particular, we appreciate and thank the SeeSicilly Pavilion, Tourism, Sport, and Entertainment of the Sicilian Region, and Sicilian Film Commission and all the staff for their hospitality and hosting us during the Cannes Film Festival,” stated Founder, Her Royal Majesty Queen Angelique-Monet of Eti-Oni, Osun State Nigeria.
The organization is year round comprised of global events supported by volunteers who have kept the organization going. Partnerships are a key factor for the NGO’s success and expansion. For more information, visit www.afiwpi.or
03.06.2022 | Cannes Market Dailies's blog
Cat. : PEOPLE