Monte-Carlo TV Festival marks its 65th anniversary with global icons, talent and industry leaders
For 65 years, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival has accompanied, reflected and anticipated the evolution of a medium at the heart of our societies. For its 65th edition, it more than ever reaffirms its mission: to celebrate television as a vibrant, popular and demanding art form, capable of telling the world’s stories and bringing audiences together on a global scale.
“This 65th edition embodies both our commitment to our heritage and our determination to fully embrace the ongoing transformation of television. More than ever, the Festival is a place for encounters, discoveries and recognition of the talents shaping the stories of tomorrow”, said Cécile Menoni, Executive Director of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
Held under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Festival will take place from 12 to 16 June 2026 at the Grimaldi Forum, bringing together leading figures from the global audiovisual industry for a rich programme combining premieres, talent-led events and discussions on the evolution of the sector.
Designed as a pivotal moment, this 65th edition reflects a dual ambition: to honour an exceptional history while confidently affirming that the future of television continues to be written in Monte-Carlo.
Through technological innovation, the diversification of formats and the emergence of new storytelling approaches, the Festival remains a key observatory of contemporary narratives and industry transformation.
The Festival will open with the international premiere of the first two episodes of Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Dead City, produced by AMC Studios (premiering Summer 2026 on AMC/AMC+ and coming soon exclusively on CINÉ+ OCS), in the presence of actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, alongside showrunner Seth Hoffman.
In this third season, Maggie (Cohan) and Negan (Morgan) finally set aside their differences to build the first thriving community in Manhattan since the apocalypse. But as chaos begins to emerge across the city, they are forced to confront a crucial question: have they truly learned from their past, or will their dark history ultimately doom the entire city?
This high-profile opening reflects a broader dynamic that will see the Festival bring together, throughout the week, leading figures of the international audiovisual landscape, starting with its competition juries.
Reflecting the diversity and excellence of international audiovisual creation, the Festival’s juries bring together leading personalities from across the industry.
As tradition dictates, they will be introduced during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, 12 June at the Grimaldi Forum.
The Fiction Jury will be chaired by British actress Lesley Manville (UK), alongside Charlene McKenna (Ireland), Frédérique Bel (France), Greg Daniels (USA), Hojin Kwon (South Korea), Kevin McKidd (Scotland) and Yasmin Finney (United Kingdom).
The Digital Jury will be chaired by Susanne Daniels (USA), former Global Head of Original Content at YouTube, joined by director and producer Luke Hyams (UK), with a final member whose appointment will be confirmed shortly.
The Feature Reports and News Jury will be chaired by American filmmaker Joshua Seftel (USA), alongside Mouhssine Ennaimi (France), Hélène Mannarino (France), Margo Smit (Netherlands) and Will Hanrahan (UK).
Throughout the Festival, the juries will review the works in competition and select the winners, who will be honoured during the Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony.
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas will receive the Crystal Nymph Award, honouring an outstanding career spanning film, television and theatre, celebrated for its artistic excellence and international influence.
Kurt Russell will also be presented with a Crystal Nymph Award in recognition of his remarkable career, defined by iconic roles across film and television and a lasting impact on the global entertainment landscape.
Spanish actress Ester Expósito will receive the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent, recognising a rapidly rising international career since her breakout role in the hit Netflix series Elite, alongside an increasing presence in European and international productions.
British actor Matthew Broome will also be honoured with the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent, acknowledging a fast-rising career driven notably by his role in My Fault: London (Prime Video) and his performance in The Buccaneers (Apple TV+), confirming his emergence as one of the most exciting talents to watch.
Michel Drucker will be presented with the Honorary Nymph Award, in recognition of an exceptional career and his major contribution to the history of television, as one of its most emblematic figures over the past six decades.
The Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony, held on 16 June, will celebrate the very best in international television across Fiction, Digital, and Feature Reports & News categories. As one of the Festival’s most anticipated highlights, the ceremony will be broadcast live on TV Monaco, extending its reach far beyond the Principality and showcasing this prestigious celebration of excellence, creativity and storytelling to a wide international audience.
Over five days, the Festival will offer a public programme combining official competition screenings, premieres and talent-led events.
All Fiction nominees will be screened at the Grimaldi Forum, offering both the press and the public the opportunity to discover these series in advance.
Out-of-competition screenings will further enrich the programme, including Les Derniers Jours de Charles Baudelaire, directed by Arielle Dombasle, presented in preview with Arielle Dombasle, Boris Terral, Marisa Berenson, Philippe Katerine and Théo Augier in attendance.
The documentary La Vie de Lise, also presented out of competition, will highlight television’s ability to convey powerful human stories, combining emotion and inspiration.
Several events will also give audiences the opportunity to meet talent from iconic series, illustrating the Festival’s strong popular and audience-driven dimension.
Fans will notably meet the cast of Un Si Grand Soleil, including Aurore Delplace, Chrystelle Labaude, Frédéric van den Driessche and Smadi Wolfman.
The Bold and the Beautiful will be represented by Katherine Kelly Lang, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Thorsten Kaye, Tanner Novlan and Kimberlin Brown.
The Young and the Restless will feature Michelle Stafford and Michael Graziadei.
Finally, productions by Dick Wolf will be highlighted with the presence of Zeeko Zaki (FBI) and Nick Gehlfuss (CIA).
These highlights fully contribute to the Festival’s identity, fostering a unique connection between talent and audiences.
This anniversary edition will also feature the world premiere of the documentary Monte-Carlo, a Festival and 65 Years of Television, produced by Theorem and TV Monaco.
From its creation in 1961 by Prince Rainier III to its global reach in the era of streaming platforms, the Festival has established itself as a key event in international audiovisual production. This 52-minute documentary retraces its major milestones.
At the heart of the Festival, the Business Forum stands as a key platform for reflection within the international audiovisual industry, bringing together leading voices from across the global television ecosystem.
This year’s programme will notably feature renowned international talent, creators, producers and industry executives, including Sue Latimer, Aldis Hodge, Ben Watkins, Michael Hirst, Barry Buren and Rola Bauer, alongside many other prominent industry leaders.
Through exclusive “In Conversation” sessions and high-level panels, it offers unique insight into the visions shaping the future of television.
This year’s edition will highlight the major transformations redefining the industry, including the impact of artificial intelligence across creative workflows, the evolution of audience behaviours and fragmentation, as well as the rise of the creator economy and new digital formats.
The Forum will also explore the increasing convergence between premium television and digital platforms, while addressing evolving economic and regulatory dynamics, and giving particular visibility to women leaders reshaping the industry.
A dedicated Masterclass led by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Tom Jennings, in collaboration with 1895 Films, will provide emerging talents with exclusive insights into the art and business of factual storytelling.
It will further provide an immersive journey through the creative process, from development and writing to production and global distribution.
The finale of the “Tell Me A Story!” Season 2, factual storytelling pitch contest, will spotlight emerging talent, with the winner benefiting from the support of 1895 Films to develop their project, produce a trailer and connect with potential buyers.
More than ever, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival stands as a unique crossroads between creativity, industry and audiences. As it celebrates 65 years of history, it reaffirms its role as an international benchmark where the stories of tomorrow take shape.
“The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is a unique point of convergence for talent, creators, broadcasters and audiences. This 65th edition fully reflects our ambition: to support the transformation of the industry while celebrating excellence and creativity on a global scale”, concluded Laurent Puons, General Manager of Monaco Mediax.
This presentation took place at the Médiathèque Caroline of Monaco, a major new cultural venue in the Principality, and was hosted by the renowned journalist and presenter Charly Nestor.
Held under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Festival will take place from 12 to 16 June 2026 at the Grimaldi Forum, bringing together leading figures from the global audiovisual industry for a rich programme combining premieres, talent-led events and discussions on the evolution of the sector.
An anniversary edition bridging legacy and future
Designed as a pivotal moment, this 65th edition reflects a dual ambition: to honour an exceptional history while confidently affirming that the future of television continues to be written in Monte-Carlo.
Through technological innovation, the diversification of formats and the emergence of new storytelling approaches, the Festival remains a key observatory of contemporary narratives and industry transformation.
A high-profile opening
The Festival will open with the international premiere of the first two episodes of Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Dead City, produced by AMC Studios (premiering Summer 2026 on AMC/AMC+ and coming soon exclusively on CINÉ+ OCS), in the presence of actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, alongside showrunner Seth Hoffman.
In this third season, Maggie (Cohan) and Negan (Morgan) finally set aside their differences to build the first thriving community in Manhattan since the apocalypse. But as chaos begins to emerge across the city, they are forced to confront a crucial question: have they truly learned from their past, or will their dark history ultimately doom the entire city?
This high-profile opening reflects a broader dynamic that will see the Festival bring together, throughout the week, leading figures of the international audiovisual landscape, starting with its competition juries.
An outstanding jury
Reflecting the diversity and excellence of international audiovisual creation, the Festival’s juries bring together leading personalities from across the industry.
As tradition dictates, they will be introduced during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, 12 June at the Grimaldi Forum.
The Fiction Jury will be chaired by British actress Lesley Manville (UK), alongside Charlene McKenna (Ireland), Frédérique Bel (France), Greg Daniels (USA), Hojin Kwon (South Korea), Kevin McKidd (Scotland) and Yasmin Finney (United Kingdom).
The Digital Jury will be chaired by Susanne Daniels (USA), former Global Head of Original Content at YouTube, joined by director and producer Luke Hyams (UK), with a final member whose appointment will be confirmed shortly.
The Feature Reports and News Jury will be chaired by American filmmaker Joshua Seftel (USA), alongside Mouhssine Ennaimi (France), Hélène Mannarino (France), Margo Smit (Netherlands) and Will Hanrahan (UK).
Throughout the Festival, the juries will review the works in competition and select the winners, who will be honoured during the Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony.
Prestigious honors
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas will receive the Crystal Nymph Award, honouring an outstanding career spanning film, television and theatre, celebrated for its artistic excellence and international influence.
Kurt Russell will also be presented with a Crystal Nymph Award in recognition of his remarkable career, defined by iconic roles across film and television and a lasting impact on the global entertainment landscape.
Spanish actress Ester Expósito will receive the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent, recognising a rapidly rising international career since her breakout role in the hit Netflix series Elite, alongside an increasing presence in European and international productions.
British actor Matthew Broome will also be honoured with the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent, acknowledging a fast-rising career driven notably by his role in My Fault: London (Prime Video) and his performance in The Buccaneers (Apple TV+), confirming his emergence as one of the most exciting talents to watch.
Michel Drucker will be presented with the Honorary Nymph Award, in recognition of an exceptional career and his major contribution to the history of television, as one of its most emblematic figures over the past six decades.
The Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony, held on 16 June, will celebrate the very best in international television across Fiction, Digital, and Feature Reports & News categories. As one of the Festival’s most anticipated highlights, the ceremony will be broadcast live on TV Monaco, extending its reach far beyond the Principality and showcasing this prestigious celebration of excellence, creativity and storytelling to a wide international audience.
A rich programme open to the public
Over five days, the Festival will offer a public programme combining official competition screenings, premieres and talent-led events.
All Fiction nominees will be screened at the Grimaldi Forum, offering both the press and the public the opportunity to discover these series in advance.
Out-of-competition screenings will further enrich the programme, including Les Derniers Jours de Charles Baudelaire, directed by Arielle Dombasle, presented in preview with Arielle Dombasle, Boris Terral, Marisa Berenson, Philippe Katerine and Théo Augier in attendance.
The documentary La Vie de Lise, also presented out of competition, will highlight television’s ability to convey powerful human stories, combining emotion and inspiration.
Several events will also give audiences the opportunity to meet talent from iconic series, illustrating the Festival’s strong popular and audience-driven dimension.
Fans will notably meet the cast of Un Si Grand Soleil, including Aurore Delplace, Chrystelle Labaude, Frédéric van den Driessche and Smadi Wolfman.
The Bold and the Beautiful will be represented by Katherine Kelly Lang, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Thorsten Kaye, Tanner Novlan and Kimberlin Brown.
The Young and the Restless will feature Michelle Stafford and Michael Graziadei.
Finally, productions by Dick Wolf will be highlighted with the presence of Zeeko Zaki (FBI) and Nick Gehlfuss (CIA).
These highlights fully contribute to the Festival’s identity, fostering a unique connection between talent and audiences.
A special documentary celebrating 65 years
This anniversary edition will also feature the world premiere of the documentary Monte-Carlo, a Festival and 65 Years of Television, produced by Theorem and TV Monaco.
From its creation in 1961 by Prince Rainier III to its global reach in the era of streaming platforms, the Festival has established itself as a key event in international audiovisual production. This 52-minute documentary retraces its major milestones.
The Business Forum: a strategic industry platform
At the heart of the Festival, the Business Forum stands as a key platform for reflection within the international audiovisual industry, bringing together leading voices from across the global television ecosystem.
This year’s programme will notably feature renowned international talent, creators, producers and industry executives, including Sue Latimer, Aldis Hodge, Ben Watkins, Michael Hirst, Barry Buren and Rola Bauer, alongside many other prominent industry leaders.
Through exclusive “In Conversation” sessions and high-level panels, it offers unique insight into the visions shaping the future of television.
This year’s edition will highlight the major transformations redefining the industry, including the impact of artificial intelligence across creative workflows, the evolution of audience behaviours and fragmentation, as well as the rise of the creator economy and new digital formats.
The Forum will also explore the increasing convergence between premium television and digital platforms, while addressing evolving economic and regulatory dynamics, and giving particular visibility to women leaders reshaping the industry.
A dedicated Masterclass led by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Tom Jennings, in collaboration with 1895 Films, will provide emerging talents with exclusive insights into the art and business of factual storytelling.
It will further provide an immersive journey through the creative process, from development and writing to production and global distribution.
The finale of the “Tell Me A Story!” Season 2, factual storytelling pitch contest, will spotlight emerging talent, with the winner benefiting from the support of 1895 Films to develop their project, produce a trailer and connect with potential buyers.
A global reference event
More than ever, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival stands as a unique crossroads between creativity, industry and audiences. As it celebrates 65 years of history, it reaffirms its role as an international benchmark where the stories of tomorrow take shape.
“The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is a unique point of convergence for talent, creators, broadcasters and audiences. This 65th edition fully reflects our ambition: to support the transformation of the industry while celebrating excellence and creativity on a global scale”, concluded Laurent Puons, General Manager of Monaco Mediax.
This presentation took place at the Médiathèque Caroline of Monaco, a major new cultural venue in the Principality, and was hosted by the renowned journalist and presenter Charly Nestor.
