Prince Albert II of Monaco opened the 65th edition of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Friday and presented the Crystal Nymph Award to Kristin Scott Thomas, in recognition of her “outstanding contribution to television and screen storytelling.”
The evening culminated in the international premiere of the first two episodes of Season 3 of AMC Studios’ “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” in the presence of actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, together with showrunner Seth Hoffman.
The International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent was awarded to Spanish actress Ester Expósito, who broke through with the hit series “Elite.” The festival also paid tribute to French TV journalist and host Michel Drucker, who received the Honorary Nymph Award in recognition of “an extraordinary career and his exceptional contribution to television history.”
The opening ceremony was joined by the jury members.
The fiction jury is chaired by British actress Lesley Manville, who serves alongside British actor Kevin McKidd, U.S. showrunner Greg Daniels, French actress Frédérique Bel, South Korean producer Hojin Kwon and British actress Yasmin Finney.
The feature reports and news jury is chaired by American filmmaker Joshua Seftel and includes Mouhssine Ennaimi, Emmy-winning French documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist, French TV producer and journalist Hélène Mannarino and Dutch investigative journalist Margo Smit.
The digital jury is chaired by American media executive Susanne Daniels, former global head of original content at YouTube, alongside British writer, producer and director Luke Hyams, and French actor and content creator Morgan Niquet. It is the first time that the award for an innovative original digital format has been included.
Prince Albert II of Monaco stated: “Sixty-five years later, the ambition of the festival remains more relevant than ever. It continues to promote an industry in perpetual transformation, while remaining faithful to its essence: celebrating stories and outstanding individuals capable of moving, questioning, enlightening and informing.”
Laurent Puons, general manager of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, commented: “As we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the festival, we are proud to continue bringing together the very best of international television in Monaco. This milestone edition reflects both the heritage of the festival and the extraordinary dynamism of today’s audiovisual industry.”
Cécile Menoni, executive director of the festival, added: “This opening sets the tone for an exceptional anniversary edition celebrating both the festival’s remarkable legacy and the future of audiovisual creation. The presence of Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Michel Drucker, Ester Expósito and the team behind ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ perfectly reflects the diversity, international reach and creative excellence that define the festival.”
