The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival begins with great names

The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival was officially inaugurated under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, during the traditional Opening Ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum. This anniversary edition, celebrating 65 years of television history and international audiovisual creation, began with an elegant Blue Carpet bringing together talent, creators, and professionals from around the world. The master of ceremonies, Genie Godula, opened the evening by introducing the juries for the prestigious Golden Nymph Awards.

This year, the Festival boasts an exceptional international jury:

• The Fiction Jury, chaired by British actress Lesley Manville, includes Kevin McKidd (Scotland), Greg Daniels (United States), Hojin Kwon (South Korea), Frédérique Bel (France), and Yasmin Finney (United Kingdom).

• The Feature Films & News Jury, chaired by American director and documentary filmmaker Joshua Seftel, is composed of Mouhssine Ennaimi (France), Hélène Mannarino (France), and Margo Smit (Netherlands).

• The Digital Jury, chaired by Susanne Daniels (former Managing Director of Original Content at YouTube), includes Luke Hyams (United Kingdom) and Morgan Niquet (France).
The launch of this new Digital Competition marks a major milestone in the Festival's history. Designed to reward the most innovative digital formats, it reflects the Festival's commitment to supporting the evolution of platforms and new forms of storytelling.

Through their experience and expertise, the members of these juries embody the richness and diversity of contemporary audiovisual creation.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco then officially declared the 65th edition open, in the presence of an audience of professionals, creators, journalists, and enthusiasts from around the world.

Opening Awards
• The Golden Nymph for Best International Newcomer was awarded to Spanish actress Ester Expósito, who rose to fame in the series Elite and has become one of the most influential figures of her generation.

• The Honorary Nymph was awarded to Michel Drucker, in recognition of an exceptional career spanning more than sixty-five years in service to French-language television.

• The Crystal Nymph was awarded to Dame Kristin Scott Thomas for her major contribution to international television and film.

The Festival also presented the international premiere of the first two episodes of the third season of The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC Studios). Actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, along with showrunner Seth Hoffman, shared this moment with the Monegasque audience.
Set in a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, the series follows Maggie and Negan in a city that has become a battleground for power struggles and survival, confirming its status as a cornerstone of The Walking Dead universe.

Official Statements
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco declared:

"Sixty-five years later, the ambition that led to the creation of the Festival remains more relevant than ever. While keeping pace with the profound changes in the audiovisual industry, the Festival remains true to its original mission: to celebrate exceptional works and personalities capable of moving, challenging, enlightening, and inspiring."
Laurent Puons, General Director of the Festival, emphasized:

"As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we are proud to continue bringing together the best of international television in Monaco." This edition reflects both our heritage and the extraordinary dynamism of today's audiovisual industry." Cécile Menoni, Executive Director, added:

"This opening sets the tone for an exceptional edition that celebrates the Festival's 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 illustrates the diversity and international reach that characterize our event." The coming days will be filled with screenings in competition, meetings with talent, public events, and professional networking opportunities at the Business Forum. All these moments will make this 65th edition an unforgettable celebration of international television, culminating in the grand Closing Ceremony and the presentation of the Golden Nymphs on June 16