“The Walking Dead: Dead City” may be a dark show, but it’s also the perfect film to open the festival, argues Cecil Menoni, executive director of the Monte Carlo Television Festival.
“It felt like a natural choice for this commemorative edition,” she told Variety.
“Beyond its success, this is a series that has truly shaped modern television culture. It is fundamentally a story about relationships, survival, and resilience in a post-apocalyptic setting.”
The show premiered the first two episodes of season three.
“The fact that it continues to evolve and captivate audiences after so many years speaks to the strength of its storytelling. It also reflects the increasingly global nature of television today, where the series can become a true cultural phenomenon.”
Laurent Pouon, the festival’s general manager, added: “It’s very simple. In the 21st century, in my opinion, there have been two important television shows: The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.” It was an honor to be able to show it to you. It’s so addictive. ”
Showrunners Seth Hoffman, Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan were in attendance, as were Crystal Nymph winners Kristin Scott Thomas and Kurt Russell.
“Both represent extraordinary careers that have transcended generations and formats and continued to connect deeply with audiences around the world. Each has left a lasting mark on the audiovisual world, and this distinction is designed to celebrate just that,” said Menoni.
So what about the Rising Star Award?
“We identify talent at key moments in their careers. We look for artists who have already made a strong impression, but who feel like their journey is just beginning.”
Estelle Exposito and Matthew Bloom “perfectly embody that spirit” thanks to their work on Exposito’s Elite and, in Bloom’s case, My Fault: London.
The launch of the digital competition reflects the festival’s attempt to “embrace new forms of storytelling and welcome the next generation of creators,” she added.
“Our goal is to continue to bring together people who will shape the future of storytelling, whether they come from television, streaming, film or digital creation.”
“It was important to be the first to win a ‘digital’ award like this,” Poons said. “This is important because this content attracts so many fans. It’s the future.”
The Rising Star Award may one day be given to a TikTok creator.
“It’s going to happen. I’d bet on it,” he says. “Sometimes YouTubers can be just as influential as famous stars.”
The event’s industry sidebar, the Business Forum, is also an important part of the event.
“It creates space for reflection and discussion about where the industry is headed. This year we wanted to gather the most interesting voices from across the industry, from creators like Michael Hirst to executives, producers, talent agents and digital pioneers like Suzanne Daniels,” said Menoni.
“Rather than just discussing trends, our goal is to create practical, positive conversations.”
The festival will also host long-running shows like “The Bold and the Beautiful,” allowing fans to meet their favorite characters.
“Our festival is the only event where soap operas are celebrated like this. This type of content generates so much enthusiasm,” said Poons.
“TV is about discovery, but it’s also about loyalty and emotional connection. We celebrate television in all its forms, from the latest creations to the iconic shows that continue to resonate with viewers,” said Menoni.
“What always touches me are the moments when fans meet actors they’ve been following for years. You see how much these stories and characters mean to people. These encounters remind us that television creates very personal connections, and Monte Carlo provides a rare opportunity to celebrate them together.”
