The luxury car show Top Marques Monaco is officially underway, and this year’s edition has some exciting new features including 11 supercar debuts and one of the first presentations of the Tesla Cybertruck in France.
The 19th edition of Top Marques Monaco features new models from major brands such as Aston Martin, Audi, McLaren, and Porsche, while also showcasing classic cars, motorbikes, and yachts. Another new addition to this year’s Top Marques is an extensive creative area.
“For the first time in 19 years, we have an unprecedented number of launches. This makes Top Marques an unmissable event in the automotive world,” said Emeric Garcia, Director of Top Marques Monaco.
The show delivers a diverse lineup divided into classic and supercar halls, a superboat section, an area for watches and jewellery, an automotive art gallery, and a Ferrari auction in collaboration with MonacoCarAuctions.
Nine supercars are making their first public debut at this year’s Top Marques, and another two are making their Monaco debut. The famous Tesla Cybertruck is also featured at the entrance to the event, and visitors can admire it on 5th and 6th June.
Some key launches at this year’s edition include the Aston Martin New Vantage V8, the Audi RS6 GT Avant, the McLaren Artura Spider, and the Porsche Macan Electric.
Cauchi Design Lamborghini
In innovation, brands like China’s BYD, Venturi, and Audi display green technology and future transport solutions. Notably, Audi is displaying its 100% electric Audi S1 Hoonitron, developed for American drifter Ken Block.
The vintage car section features over 60 sports cars from the 20th century, including iconic models from Ferrari and Mercedes and contributions from multiple classic car specialists. A highlight is the display of a rare ‘Flèche d’Argent’, a 1937 Mercedes built by the National Auto Museum of Mulhouse.
Classic Car hall at Top Marques Monaco 2024
Another highlight of the classic car section is the 1990 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Nomad from the Boutsen Classic Cars collection, which features a dozen classic cars at their Top Marques stand.
Top Marques Monaco 2024 will also host the second edition of the ‘L’Astarossa’ 100% Ferrari auction on the 8th of June.
Additionally, the show will conduct the second edition of the Carspotters Awards and an art competition for children to design the event’s first official mascot.
Here’s a round-up of all the latest news from the Monaco Government, from the activation of the study grant application process to overseas events and international conferences.
First up is an announcement by Monaco’s Department of Education, Youth and Sport that the application process is now open for those hoping to obtain university study or social improvement grants for the 2024/25 year.
Applications must be received by the Department by 2pm on 27th September for study grants and prior to the start of a course in the case of a social improvement-related request. Full details on eligibility requirements can be found here.
Monaco pledges support
At the end of May, Gabriel Revel, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, met to sign an agreement regarding the Principality’s voluntary contributions to four specific projects and missions: a programme combatting violence against women and domestic violence in Morocco and Tunisia; the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe 2021-2025; the Fund for the Convention for the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention; and assisting in reducing the backlog of well-founded cases at the European Court of Human Rights.
Also occurring at the end of May was the United Nations’ Small Island Developing States conference, which was attended by Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations.
Held in Antigua and Barbuda, Picco used the overseas trip to reaffirm the Principality’s “support for the sustainable development of small island developing States, which are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks and the effects of climate change”.
She also spoke about the potential of the Blue Economy and praised the vital role of the so-called Small Island Developing States in protecting the oceans and marine biodiversity.
Bonn Climate Change conference
A delegation from Monaco, composed of representatives from the Directorate of the Environment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, is currently attending the Bonn Climate Change conference, which is being held in the German city between 3rd and 13th June.
A Monaco Government delegation is currently attending the Bonn Climate Change Conference in West Germany. Photo source: Monaco Communications Department
According to government representatives, “The main issue this year is defining a new financing goal to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The development of rules regarding market mechanisms (carbon offset) under the Paris Agreement will also be at the heart of the discussions. The results of the negotiations will be forwarded to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan at the end of the year for the adoption of official decisions by the States.”
Hungarian visit
On 4th June, Monaco received a special visit from Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó (fourth from left in main photo). His trip to the Principality coincided with the inauguration of the new Consulate of Hungary in Monaco, which was formally opened in the presence of José Luis Delso Martinez-Trevijano, the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Monaco.
Szijjártó was also invited to meet Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Palais Princier and had an interview with the Principality’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, during which the two reviewed cooperation efforts between the two states.
The Hungarian minister concluded his visit by co-hosting a conference organised by the Monaco Economic Board entitled ‘Business Destination: Hungary’.
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival will this year honour three environmental and humanitarian productions and the teams behind them – Mines of Death, How Extreme Will The Weather Be, Sven Plöger? and The Law of the Sea – for their roles in raising public awareness on important topics that don’t always get the attention they deserve.
At the 2024 Monte-Carlo Television Festival (MCTF), which will be held at the Grimaldi Forum between 14th and 18th June, three individual projects will gain special recognition for their efforts in bringing to light issues that are all too often overlooked.
Award winners
Mines of Death, a documentary by journalist Håkan Enmark and filmmaker Daniel Gökinan for TV4 Sweden, tracks the lives of Emil and his family, who are living and working in the mines of Congo-Kinshasa. The documentary shares their struggles and suffering, from child-labour abuses to violence and poisoned drinking water. The hard-hitting show reveals how the Swedish government may be complicit in these horrors by sending US$200 million to the region, forcing these desperate people to carry on working in dangerous conditions.
It has won the MCTF’s AMADE Prize, an accolade that rewards television programmes linked to the charity’s core values: protecting the most vulnerable children from violence, exploitation and abuse; increasing access to education; and increasing access to health services.
The Rainer III Special Prize, the winner of which is traditionally chosen by the MCTF’s Honorary President, Prince Albert II, and is awarded in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will this year go How Extreme Will The Weather Be, Sven Plöger?
The documentary stars renowned German meteorologist Sven Plöger, who travels to Panama to highlight the direct – and dire – effects of El Niño on global weather, as well as provide more positive glimpses into how future techniques may help stop the worst effects of climate change. The film was produced by Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion GmbH. By virtue of the Rainier III Special Prize, the production team has also won €10,000.
The Monaco Red Cross Special Prize has been awarded to The Law of the Sea, a narrative based on the true story of the Spanish fishing vessel Francisco y Catalina, which in 2006 hit the news as the first European boat to rescue 51 sub-Saharan migrants from the Mediterranean Sea. This event started a chain-reaction of events that led to European legislation changing with regards to nations’ responsibilities to migrants.
The awards will be presented on 18th June at the MCTF’s closing ceremony. Princess Charlene of Monaco is expected to attend the event.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Monaco’s Prince Albert II has travelled to the north of France to meet with WWII military veterans, visit the Mémorial de Caen and witness a parade in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, one of the first villages to be liberated by the Allied Forces during the Battle of Normandy.
Over the course of Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th June, Prince Albert has paid homage to those who fought and those who lost their lives during the D-Day landings in 1944.
As it is the 80th anniversary of Operation Neptune, which has gone down in history as the biggest seaborne invasion of all time, Prince Albert’s well-timed visit afforded him the opportunity to meet with military veterans from the US who served in the Battle of Normandy on his first day in the region.
This treasured encounter took place at the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, one of the first villages liberated by the Allies following the Normandy landings, following a parade through its streets.
Monaco’s Prince also visited the Mémorial de Caen’s ‘The Dawn of the American Century 1919 – 1944′ exhibition, which will be open to the public until January 2025, and Camp Geronimo, a reconstruction of a World War II military camp.
There was time allowed for a little fun too, and the adventurous Prince Albert seemed overjoyed to have the opportunity to take to the skies in a Piper Cub, a single-engine light aircraft designed in the 1930s, and explore some of the region’s most significant memorial sites from above.
Prince Albert climbed aboard a Piper Cub from the 1930s for an aerial tour of Normandy’s memorial sites. Photo credit: Michael Alési / Palais Princier de Monaco
He also paid a visit to MoHo, a next-generation collaborative concept in Caen that unites students, entrepreneurs, business leaders, researchers, scientists and artists under one roof, providing them with a safe space to “collectively address contemporary world issues”.
On Thursday 6th June, 80 years on from the landings, Prince Albert will attend both the official British ceremony marking the anniversary of the event and the international celebration on Omaha Beach.
To see more photographs from Prince Albert’s Normandy trip, click on the images below:
Among the many treasures going under the gavel at Artcurial’s Monaco Auction Week event in July is a collection of sports memorabilia that was once on display at the legendary Port Hercule institution of Stars’n’Bars.
When Stars’n’Bars closed its doors for the last time in January 2023, it was something of an end of an era for Monaco’s social scene.
Now, however, fans of the iconic address on the Quai des Artistes stand the chance of owning a piece of local history as more than 200 items of sporting and entertainment memorabilia collected by the bar’s founders, the late Kate Powers and Didier Rubiolo, over the course of three decades will be going up for auction in Monaco this July.
During its years of service, Stars’n’Bars welcomed a host of celebrities, many of whom were generous enough to leave behind tokens of their visits.
The eatery, in turn, framed them and gave the items pride of place on the walls of Stars’n’Bars for everyone to admire and enjoy.
Instead of sitting in a storage locker somewhere – Stars’n’Bars was renovated over the course of 2023 to become an entirely different type of venue – many of those treasured pieces have found their way to Artcurial’s curators, who will be auctioning them off at the ’30 Years of Idols & Champions’ sale on 8th July.
Among the items listed are: a jersey from cyclist Miguel Induráin that is estimated to go for €1,000 to €2,000; motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi’s helmet, which could sell for €2,000 to €3,000; a Formula 1 pilot suit worn by Tom Kristensen, which is expected to fetch between €4,000 and €6,000; and a guitar from Italian pop star Eros Ramazzotti, thought to be worth €800 to €1,200.
To be part of the 30 Years of Idols & Champions event, head to the Hotel Hermitage on 8th July at 2pm. For more information on the sale, click here.
Lights, camera, action! The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is coming back to town from June 14th to 28th, celebrating its 63rd anniversary and rolling the red carpet out to a star-studded lineup of international celebrities, who will be sporting their most glamorous regalia and showcasing innovative content.
This unparalleled event, established by Prince Rainier III in 1961 and held under the Honorary Presidency of Prince Albert II since 1988, has evolved into a cornerstone of the television industry, eagerly anticipated by professionals and the public alike. Prominent studio heads, broadcast networks, digital platforms, and acclaimed actors, producers, directors, and writers convene every year at the Grimaldi Forum to showcase their programs to the media and the public with the goal of expanding their professional network.
The crowning stroke is the globally-recognised Golden Nymph Awards, considered one of the top distinctions in show business. These awards, spanning three categories: Fiction, News and Documentaries, and the Prince Rainier III Prize, honour excellence in television production. The beautifully crafted statuette was created by Monegasque sculptor François-Joseph Bosio (1768-1845), the original being displayed at the famous Louvre Museum in Paris.
Monaco Life’s Features Journalist Celina Lafuente de Lavotha interviewed with Laurent Puons, CEO of Mediax, who shared memorable moments and spoke about his excitement at welcoming the best in showbiz this year, from movie icon Morgan Freeman to Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, and many more.
Monaco Life: When did you take the reins of Monaco Mediax?
Laurent Puons: In 2012, I had the honour of assuming company leadership as the CEO of Monaco Mediax. Since then, I have had the mission of guiding the organisation toward accomplishing its goals.
As the CEO of Monaco Mediax, I oversee a few critical events, including the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, one of our main events of the year. Monaco Mediax, a leading media company, is responsible for organising and managing the Festival, ensuring it continues to be a premier event in the television industry. We also manage other significant events such as SPORTEL: Sportel Monaco, Sportel Awards, and Sportel Rendez-Vous (Bali and Buenos Aires this year). All these events are common threads throughout the year, and our teams are constantly planning for the next edition, striving for continuous improvement and innovation.
Laurent Puons and Michael Douglas, American actor who received two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes
What are your main objectives for the MCTV Festival?
Our primary objectives for the Monte-Carlo Television Festival centre around promoting excellence within television, providing an international platform to celebrate the talent of professionals, and fostering networking and partnership opportunities for the future of the entertainment industries. We aim to showcase innovative content, facilitate meaningful discussions, and recognise outstanding programming achievements.
Our Golden Nymph Ceremony each year is a significant event that spotlights quality productions across all genres and honours numerous countries worldwide, giving the Festival an international dimension. The Golden Nymph Awards, considered one of the highest distinctions in the television industry, not only honour the best in three categories: Fiction, News and Documentaries, and the Prince Rainier III Prize, but also signify the international recognition of their work, bringing us all together to celebrate global television excellence. This year, among the 18 programs selected, 13 countries will be honoured.
Who are the celebrities that have left a special memory for you?
Over the years, numerous celebrities have left a lasting impression at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. Among them are notable figures such as Jerry Bruckheimer, who was honoured with the Crystal Nymph at the 54th Monte- Carlo Television Festival in 2012. He has produced a string of hit movies and television shows over 40 years, collecting more awards than any other producer.
In 2019, Michael Douglas, Hollywood’s legendary actor, producer and titan, was also honoured with the prestigious Crystal Nymph. The multi-award-winning show The Streets of San Francisco (1972-1976) propelled him into the limelight. Most recently, he starred in the Netflix hit series The Kominsky Method.
Always at the cutting edge, in 2017, the Festival welcomed Alonso Pedro, the famous actor who starred in Money Heist. In 2018, the globally successful series won the Golden Nymph for Best TV Drama Series at the Festival.
Over the years, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival has been graced by the presence of numerous internationally renowned celebrities. These include Dame Helen Mirren, Game of Thrones’ Sean Bean, and Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs, among many others. Each celebrity has brought unique talent and perspective to the event, creating unforgettable moments on our Festival’s red carpet. It is difficult to mention all the emotional moments and internationally renowned celebrities who have joined us because there are so many, and more, joining in every year.
Laurent Puons with Monegasque F1 driver Charles Leclerc
What is new for MCTV festival in 2024?
The 63rd edition of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival will be more thrilling than ever. Several new features and highlights, carefully curated to elevate the Festival experience, will demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. From engaging panel discussions and exclusive screenings to interactive workshops and networking events, attendees can look forward to diverse activities that not only celebrate the best of television entertainment but also offer a glimpse into the industry’s exciting future.
This year, topics focusing on the TV industry will be at the heart of discussions from June 15th to 17th, including Repercussions from the 2023 Strike: Paucity in Content Creation & Production; Bringing the World to Light Through TV Drama; New Formats, Genres & Focus on Local TV Platformization, the process of customizing a platform to suit a business’s need; How AI Tools Can Help with Creation & Distribution; New Narratives for Documentaries: The Blur Between Reality & Fiction; The Value of Marketing in Television; Being a Producer: How do They Manage Ever Increasing Responsibilities; What’s New in International Co-Pros?
Who are the invited celebrities this year?
We are thrilled to welcome a diverse array of renowned celebrities to this year’s Monte-Carlo Television Festival. After Théo Christine in 2022 and Julia de Nunez last year, British actress Simone Ashley, the Netflix series Bridgerton star, will receive the Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent. This award not only honours the exceptional talent of an emerging and promising actor but also signifies the international recognition of their work, bringing us all together to celebrate global television excellence.
Following the Opening Ceremony, Prince Albert II of Monaco will present legendary actor and producer Morgan Freeman with the prestigious Crystal Nymph in recognition of the outstanding television career of a world-renowned actor. The Honorary Golden Nymph, the Festival’s highest distinction, awarded to a renowned professional for their extraordinary contribution to the entertainment industry, will be presented to the French actor and director Olivier Marchal (36 Quai des Orfèvres, Ne le dis à personne, Braquo, Bronx) at the Closing Ceremony on Tuesday June 18th.
This year, the Festival will also include public events for the 50th anniversary of the primetime drama Little House on the Prairie and the 1000th episode of the famous NCIS show. Actors such as Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson for Little House on the Prairie, Cote de Pablo, and Michael Weatherly for NCIS will join us at the Festival, each bringing their unique talent and perspective to the event.
Laurent Puons with David Hasselhoff, aka The Hoff, American actor, singer, and TV personality
How are Jury members selected, and who will be part of the star-studded Jury?
Jury members are selected based on their expertise and contributions to the television industry. This year, our esteemed Jury includes David Boreanaz and Steve Anderson, who will preside over the fiction news and documentary juries. In the Fiction jury, we will welcome Danish actor and producer Ulrich Thomsen, award-winning Spanish producer Teresa Fernandez-Valdés, and Spanish producer Piv Bernth, the CEO and creative and executive producer of Apple Tree Productions. The Documentary and News jury includes Italian journalist and RAI 3 director Chiara Avesani; Martina Šantavá, the Czech creative producer; journalist and presenter on CNN Portugal André Carvalho Ramos and Yann-Antony Noghès, the producer of Check Productions from Monaco.
These individuals possess knowledge and experience in television production, direction, acting, and other relevant fields. Their discerning judgment and insights will be crucial in recognising excellence at the Festival.
Which film has been selected for the Opening?
For the Opening of the Festival, we have selected The Gray House for its significant American narrative, but one that resonates globally due to its authentic representation of the sacrifices made for freedom. This spy adventure promises to captivate, enlighten, and motivate audiences. Through the lens of four remarkably courageous women, it paints a vivid picture of love, conflict, historical events, and heartbreak amidst wartime. This captivating film sets the tone for the Festival’s celebrations and exemplifies the creativity and innovation within the television landscape. Many of the stars of The Gray House will attend the glamorous screening, including multiple award-winning Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, The West Wing), Daisy Head (Harlots), Amethyst Davis (Kindred), and Ben Vereen (Roots), along with executive producers Leslie Greif (Hatfields & McCoys) and Lori McCreary (Madam Secretary).
Please tell us about the charity event organised by Make-A-Wish International during the MCTV Festival.
Make-A-Wish International will host its inaugural charity event ‘The Night of 100 Stars’ on Sunday June 16th, during the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. They will welcome 100 esteemed guests who share Make-A-Wish’s mission and dedication to transforming the lives of critically ill children from around the world. We are very proud to partner with this event and to be able to support it in our own way for a cause that is dear to us.
This impactful solidarity evening, set against the stunning backdrop of the Monte-Carlo Bay’s Mediterranean Garden, will be co-anchored by model and TV personality Victoria Silvstedt and Dancing with the Stars France winner Maxime Dereymez.Guests will be treated to a sophisticated cocktail reception, followed by a dinner under the stars. The highlight will be an exceptional performance by The Voice France 2023 contestant Nade.
Laurent Puons with Dylan McDermott, American actor, producter and director, Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee, at MCTVF
What technological changes have acted as disruptive forces within the television industry over the past ten years that will undoubtedly continue evolving?
Over the past decade, the television industry has witnessed significant technological advancements that have reshaped content production, distribution, and consumption. One of the most critical disruptions has been the rise of streaming services. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, OCS, and all the others completely altered people’s viewing habits. With the improvement of global internet coverage and the creation and improvement of connected devices such as smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets, access to this content is more accessible.
Traditional audiovisual media, such as conventional television, have lost mainly audience share since the arrival of streaming. TV channels, and the audiovisual industry in general, have been forced to adapt to these new viewing habits to remain viable in a rapidly evolving sector.
“The television industry can thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world by embracing innovation and adapting to changing trends.”
How do you see the future of the entertainment industry and television specifically?
I see a dynamic future for the entertainment industry, with on-screen content centralising cultural narratives and engaging audiences worldwide. As technology evolves and consumer preferences shift, the entertainment landscape will transform further, offering new opportunities for creativity, storytelling, and audience engagement. The television industry can thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world by embracing innovation and adapting to changing trends.
Advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), are opening new horizons. Imagine watching your favourite series and being able to influence the plot, enter the series’ universe, or interact with the characters through these kinds of immersive experiences. The evolution of these technologies will enable the television sector to develop even further and, above all, offer unprecedented personalisation options. There will be no limits to storytelling, and audiences will be active participants. In other words, television’s future is broader than that of viewing. Soon, we’ll be able to watch, live, connect, and shape the stories we want that define us.
Laurent Puons and Julia De Nunez, French actress, recipient of Golden Nymph 62nd MCTVF
How do you plan to reinvent the TV Festival?
To reinvent the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, we are committed to exploring new avenues for growth and expansion while staying true to our core mission of celebrating excellence in television entertainment. Our strategy includes international expansion through media and VIPs worldwide and our nominated programs. This year, for example, 11 countries are honoured among the 18 programs selected for the Golden Nymphs competition.
We also ensure we improve attendees’ experience, whether professionals or fans. Year after year, innovative topics are the heart of discussions at the Festival’s Business Content, which takes place over three days from Saturday to Monday. As for our public events, we are always looking for the new and the different by continuing to invite prestigious VIPs who are popular with the public.