Prince Albert II of Monaco opened the 65th Monte Carlo Television Festival on Friday, presenting Kristin Scott Thomas with the Crystal Nymph Award for her “outstanding contribution to storytelling in television and film.”
The night culminated with the international premiere of the first two episodes of Season 3 of AMC Studios’ The Walking Dead: Dead City, attended by actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan and showrunner Seth Hoffman.
The International Golden Nymph Award, given to the most promising talent, went to Spanish actress Esther Exposito, who broke out in the hit series “Elite.” The festival also paid tribute to French television journalist and presenter Michel Drucker, who received the Honorary Nymph Award for his “extraordinary career and extraordinary contribution to the history of television.”
The judges also attended the opening ceremony.
The fiction jury will be headed by British actress Lesley Manville, who will serve as a judge along with British actor Kevin McKidd, American showrunner Greg Daniels, French actress Frederic Bell, Korean producer Ho-jin Kwon, and British actress Yasmine Finney.
The feature reporting and news jury is chaired by American filmmaker Joshua Seftel and includes Emmy Award-winning French documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist Moussin Enaimi, French television producer and journalist Hélène Mannarino, and Dutch investigative journalist Margot Smit.
The digital jury will be chaired by American media executive Suzanne Daniels, former global head of original content at YouTube, along with British writer, producer and director Luke Hyams and French actor and content creator Morgan Niket. This is the first time that an innovative original digital format has been included in this award.
Prince Albert II of Monaco said: “Sixty-five years later, the festival’s ambitions are more relevant than ever. The festival continues to drive lasting change in the industry, while staying true to its essence of celebrating stories and outstanding individuals that can move, question, enlighten and inform.”
Laurent Pouon, General Manager of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, commented: “As we celebrate the Festival’s 65th anniversary, we are proud to continue to bring the best international television to Monaco. This milestone edition reflects both the Festival’s heritage and the extraordinary dynamism of today’s audiovisual industry.”
Cecile Menoni, the festival’s executive director, added: “This opening sets the tone for a special anniversary edition that celebrates both the festival’s remarkable legacy and the future of audiovisual creation. The presence of Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Michelle Drucker, Estelle Exposito and the team behind The Walking Dead: Dead City perfectly reflects the diversity, international reach and creative excellence that characterizes the festival.”
