The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival opens with global stars and the world premiere of The Walking Dead: Dead City S3
The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival opened in spectacular fashion on Friday evening under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, celebrating a landmark anniversary for one of the world's most prestigious television events. Founded in 1961 by Prince Rainier III and now held under the patronage of Prince Albert II, the Festival continues to serve as a global showcase for television excellence while bringing together leading talent, creators, executives and audiences from around the world. The Festival is taking place from 12 to 16 June 2026 at the Grimaldi Forum.
For 65 years, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival has accompanied, reflected and anticipated the evolution of television. As the medium continues to transform through streaming, new formats and technological innovation, the Festival remains a unique meeting point where creativity, industry and audiences converge.
The Grimaldi Forum once again provided the backdrop for the opening celebrations, with international stars arriving on the Festival's iconic Blue Carpet before the Opening Ceremony. Hosted by Genie Godula, the evening officially launched five days of screenings, premieres, fan events, industry discussions and networking opportunities that have made Monte-Carlo a fixture on the global television calendar.
This year's opening was highlighted by the international premiere of the first two episodes of season three of The Walking Dead: Dead City. Stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan joined showrunner Seth Hoffman in Monaco to present the latest chapter of AMC's popular franchise, which follows Maggie and Negan as they attempt to build a new future in post-apocalyptic Manhattan. The series dominated the Festival's opening day, with a giant promotional installation greeting visitors at the entrance of the Grimaldi Forum.
The Opening Ceremony also introduced this year's competition juries. The Fiction Jury is chaired by Lesley Manville and includes Frédérique Bel, Greg Daniels, Hojin Kwon, Kevin McKidd and Yasmin Finney. The Digital Jury is led by Susanne Daniels, while the Feature Reports and News Jury is chaired by filmmaker Joshua Seftel.
As part of the Festival's 65th anniversary celebrations, several distinguished figures will be honored for their contributions to the entertainment industry. Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Kurt Russell will receive the prestigious Crystal Nymph Award in recognition of their outstanding international careers. French television icon Michel Drucker will be presented with the Honorary Nymph Award, celebrating more than six decades of influence on French television.
In her speech, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas expressed gratitude to the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo, playfully noting that she and the 65-year-old festival are "almost the same age." She reflects on her long and varied career, highlighting her cinematic beginnings nearby at the Studio de la Victorine, where she landed her first role working with the musician Prince.
Shifting between French and English, she praises the high standard of British television fiction established in the 1980s and 1990s, which she credits with raising the bar globally. She also touched upon her recent work, including her return to television in the series Slow Horses and her experience writing and directing her first film. She ended her speech with a dedication: I'd like to dedicate this beautiful crystal Nymphe to the first person to believe in me, who was...I'm getting emotional...who was Prince. My Prince of Minneapolis."
The Festival is also recognizing the next generation of international talent. Spanish actress Ester Expósito, who rose to international fame through Netflix's Elite, and British actor Matthew Broome, known for My Fault: London and The Buccaneers, will each receive the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent.
Expósito commented: “I feel honored to be here surrounded by so many amazing artists that I truly admire. I think it's very special that you recognize and celebrate the talents and careers of young artists around the world, regardless their nationality or language. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Beyond the competition, audiences will have access to a packed schedule of screenings, premieres and fan-focused events. Cast members from The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, FBI, CIA and the French hit Un Si Grand Soleil are among the many television personalities appearing throughout the week.
A major highlight of the anniversary edition is the world premiere of the documentary Monte-Carlo, A Festival and 65 Years of Television, produced by Theorem and TV Monaco. The film traces the Festival's journey from its creation by Prince Rainier III in 1961 to its current role as a global gathering place for the television industry in the streaming era.
The Festival's Business Forum once again serves as a key platform for industry discussion, bringing together prominent executives, producers and creators to examine the future of television. Topics this year include artificial intelligence, changing audience behavior, the rise of the creator economy, new digital formats and the growing convergence between traditional television and streaming platforms. Among the featured speakers are Michael Hirst, Aldis Hodge, Ben Watkins, Sue Latimer, Barry Buren and Rola Bauer.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco stated: “65 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. “
Executive Director Cécile Menoni said the anniversary edition reflects both a commitment to the event's heritage and a determination to embrace the future of television. "More than ever, the Festival is a place for encounters, discoveries and recognition of the talents shaping the stories of tomorrow... 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 teams behind The Walking Dead: Dead City perfectly reflects the diversity, international reach and creative excellence that define the Festival. “
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Monaco, the 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival once again demonstrates why it remains one of the television industry's premier international gatherings. Blending glamour, creativity and business, the Festival continues to celebrate the power of storytelling while providing a glimpse into the future of global television. The event runs through June 16 and concludes with the Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony, which will be broadcast live on TV Monaco.
The Grimaldi Forum once again provided the backdrop for the opening celebrations, with international stars arriving on the Festival's iconic Blue Carpet before the Opening Ceremony. Hosted by Genie Godula, the evening officially launched five days of screenings, premieres, fan events, industry discussions and networking opportunities that have made Monte-Carlo a fixture on the global television calendar.
This year's opening was highlighted by the international premiere of the first two episodes of season three of The Walking Dead: Dead City. Stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan joined showrunner Seth Hoffman in Monaco to present the latest chapter of AMC's popular franchise, which follows Maggie and Negan as they attempt to build a new future in post-apocalyptic Manhattan. The series dominated the Festival's opening day, with a giant promotional installation greeting visitors at the entrance of the Grimaldi Forum.
The Opening Ceremony also introduced this year's competition juries. The Fiction Jury is chaired by Lesley Manville and includes Frédérique Bel, Greg Daniels, Hojin Kwon, Kevin McKidd and Yasmin Finney. The Digital Jury is led by Susanne Daniels, while the Feature Reports and News Jury is chaired by filmmaker Joshua Seftel.
As part of the Festival's 65th anniversary celebrations, several distinguished figures will be honored for their contributions to the entertainment industry. Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Kurt Russell will receive the prestigious Crystal Nymph Award in recognition of their outstanding international careers. French television icon Michel Drucker will be presented with the Honorary Nymph Award, celebrating more than six decades of influence on French television.
In her speech, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas expressed gratitude to the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo, playfully noting that she and the 65-year-old festival are "almost the same age." She reflects on her long and varied career, highlighting her cinematic beginnings nearby at the Studio de la Victorine, where she landed her first role working with the musician Prince.
Shifting between French and English, she praises the high standard of British television fiction established in the 1980s and 1990s, which she credits with raising the bar globally. She also touched upon her recent work, including her return to television in the series Slow Horses and her experience writing and directing her first film. She ended her speech with a dedication: I'd like to dedicate this beautiful crystal Nymphe to the first person to believe in me, who was...I'm getting emotional...who was Prince. My Prince of Minneapolis."
The Festival is also recognizing the next generation of international talent. Spanish actress Ester Expósito, who rose to international fame through Netflix's Elite, and British actor Matthew Broome, known for My Fault: London and The Buccaneers, will each receive the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent.
Expósito commented: “I feel honored to be here surrounded by so many amazing artists that I truly admire. I think it's very special that you recognize and celebrate the talents and careers of young artists around the world, regardless their nationality or language. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Beyond the competition, audiences will have access to a packed schedule of screenings, premieres and fan-focused events. Cast members from The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, FBI, CIA and the French hit Un Si Grand Soleil are among the many television personalities appearing throughout the week.
A major highlight of the anniversary edition is the world premiere of the documentary Monte-Carlo, A Festival and 65 Years of Television, produced by Theorem and TV Monaco. The film traces the Festival's journey from its creation by Prince Rainier III in 1961 to its current role as a global gathering place for the television industry in the streaming era.
The Festival's Business Forum once again serves as a key platform for industry discussion, bringing together prominent executives, producers and creators to examine the future of television. Topics this year include artificial intelligence, changing audience behavior, the rise of the creator economy, new digital formats and the growing convergence between traditional television and streaming platforms. Among the featured speakers are Michael Hirst, Aldis Hodge, Ben Watkins, Sue Latimer, Barry Buren and Rola Bauer.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco stated: “65 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. “
Executive Director Cécile Menoni said the anniversary edition reflects both a commitment to the event's heritage and a determination to embrace the future of television. "More than ever, the Festival is a place for encounters, discoveries and recognition of the talents shaping the stories of tomorrow... 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 teams behind The Walking Dead: Dead City perfectly reflects the diversity, international reach and creative excellence that define the Festival. “
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Monaco, the 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival once again demonstrates why it remains one of the television industry's premier international gatherings. Blending glamour, creativity and business, the Festival continues to celebrate the power of storytelling while providing a glimpse into the future of global television. The event runs through June 16 and concludes with the Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony, which will be broadcast live on TV Monaco.
