12 ° C
Profile

Day: 19 March 2025

World AI Film Festival to make its debut in Nice

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
19/03/2025

The French Riviera is set to welcome a groundbreaking new event as the World AI Film Festival (WAiFF) prepares to open its doors in Nice this April. Bringing together technology enthusiasts and cinematic visionaries, the festival will showcase how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of filmmaking at the Multiplex Pathe Gare du Sud.

According to WAiFF founder Marco Landi, former president of Apple, the festival has already attracted more than 1,000 submissions representing 53 nationalities.

The competition features four prestigious award categories with significant cash prizes rewarding excellence and innovation: Best AI Film (awarded by the Europia Institute), Best Synopsis for Feature Film and Best Series Guide (both awarded by Genario), and Best Film on Smartphone, awarded by Clapaction. The last award, and perhaps the most thrilling, showcases that anyone with a small phone and a big dream can make it in the film industry.

Winners in each category will receive €10,000 for first place, €5,000 for second place, and €2,000 for third place. For now, submissions are no longer accepted and a jury has already assembled to assess the creations. The finalists will be announced on March 28th, while the prize-giving ceremony will take place during the festival on 11th April.

Organised by Europia Institute, MIA (Maison de l’intelligence Artificielle) and the Department des Alpes-Maritimes, the vision is “a future where technology and people come together to push back the boundaries of creation, while promoting artificial intelligence that respects the creators’ rights and copyright.”

Mock trial to address AI’s impact on Cinema 

The highlight of the festival – taking place from April 11th to April 12th – will be an intriguing mock trial scheduled for the first day from 7pm to 8:30pm, addressing a question that has divided the film industry: Can a film without filming or actors be recognised as a cinematographic work?.

The debate has been influenced by the French thriller ECHO, which has achieved an unprecedented 18 million views. As a world-first film with script, casting and music entirely generated by artificial intelligence, ECHO has generated enormous interest among the French population while raising concerns of industry professionals regarding the future of traditional filmmaking. 

Following the mock trial, renowned French filmmaker Claude Lelouch, serving as the festival’s honorary president, will present the awards in a ceremony expected to attract approximately 900 attendees.

The celebration of innovation will continue on April 12th at the Palais des Rois Sardes, where 100 VIPs from cinema, media and the digital world will convene to discuss the evolving landscape of filming and ponder new narrative forms. 

Film enthusiasts and industry professionals interested in attending can register though the official website: https://worldaifilmfestival.com/en/

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Image of an AI generated film created by AI, on Canva, by Monaco Life

 

Culinary showdown awaits at the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Superyacht Chef Competition

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025
Superyacht Chef Competition

In two weeks’ time, the Yacht Club de Monaco will welcome nine top shortlisted chefs to the sixth edition of the Superyacht Chef Competition, an event that celebrates culinary artistry within the elite world of luxury yachting. The chefs, who all work aboard yachts ranging from 36 to 97 metres, will be put through their paces as they fight to showcase their prowess and creativity under strict time constraints.

Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco’s (YCM) La Belle Classe Academy in collaboration with Bluewater, the competition is set to take place on 3rd April.

The event has been designed to spotlight the exceptional dining experiences available on superyachts, with Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the YCM, noting, “The Superyacht Chef Competition personifies the culinary art and maritime excellence alliance.”

A test of skill

The competition is not just about technical ability; it is also a test of ingenuity and adaptability. Chefs will only discover their “mystery basket” of ingredients moments before they begin cooking, giving them just five minutes to devise a recipe. Improvisation is crucial, as is a commitment to sustainability—any wasted ingredients will result in penalties.

Adding an extra layer of excitement, spectators have the opportunity to introduce a surprise ingredient into the mix, ensuring that no two dishes are alike. The public will also help determine the best presentation, making for an interactive and engaging culinary event.

Among this year’s competitors is Francesco Federico Benassi from the 50-metre Sanlorenzo yacht Almax.

Chef Benassi sees the competition as more than just a challenge, saying, “Cooking is my passion and my form of expression. I often use seawater in my seafood dishes to enhance natural flavours, bringing the essence of the ocean to the plate. This competition is an opportunity to push my limits, learn from other incredible chefs and create dishes that tell my story.”

The competition will once again be overseen by esteemed culinary figures, including Joël Garault and Frédéric Ramos, the President and Vice-President of the Monaco Goût et Saveurs association. They will be joined by Chef Philippe Joannès, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France and the YCM’s Food & Beverage Director, as well as Chef Simon Ganache, Head of Events at the YCM.

For the first time, Guillaume Gomez, France’s Ambassador of Gastronomy, will act as a patron of the competition. Meanwhile, Jean-François Girardin, President of the Société Nationale des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, will chair the international jury. A former chef at the Ritz for over three decades, Girardin replaces Glenn Viel in leading the panel.

Accompanying him will be an impressive lineup of judges, including Brit Mark Reynolds, President of the Craft Guild of Chefs; Frenchman Ronan Cadorel, an esteemed chef currently based at the Royal Mansour in Casablanca; Jeeny Maltese from Venezuela, a Latin American cuisine expert; the UK’s Duncan Biggs, an experienced superyacht chef and co-founder of Ocean Wave Monaco; and Brazilian Paulo Ucha Longhin, the winner of the 2024 edition.

Read related:

Pierre Gagnaire and Anne-Sophie Pic to star at 2025’s Festival des Etoilés Monte-Carlo

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo credit: Sebastian Coman, Pexels

Elite show jumping to take centre stage as Longines Global Champions Tour returns to Port Hercule this summer

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025

Tickets are now available for the prestigious Monaco leg of the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour, set to take place from 3rd to 5th July in Port Hercule. This much-anticipated equestrian event, a highlight in the sport’s calendar, promises three days of world-class show jumping in one of the tour’s most challenging and glamourous arenas.

Founded in 2006 by Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops, the Longines Global Champions Tour includes up to 15 rounds of competition around the world, including here in Monaco with the Jumping International Monte-Carlo event, which has, over the last 18 years, established itself as one of the most anticipated rounds on the Tour.

Renowned for its compact and technical arena, the competition attracts the world’s elite riders and horses, who compete against the unique backdrop of Monaco’s iconic waterfront, with its views of superyachts and the Prince’s Palace. It is widely considered to be one of the most challenging stages on not only the Longines Global Champions Tour but also the entire international five-star horse jumping circuit.

See more: Inès Joly wins the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix

Charlotte Casiraghi, the niece of Prince Albert II of Monaco and a keen equestrian, will once again be assuming the mantle of the event’s Honorary President. The greater Grimaldi family, including Casiraghi’s mother, Princess Caroline of Hanover, and the Prince himself, are often seen attending the competition, helping solidify its status as one of the Principality’s significant sporting events, alongside the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

For those interested in attending, a variety of ticket options are available, ranging from general admission to VIP packages that offer access to exclusive areas, gourmet dining experiences and premium viewing locations. Given the event’s enduring popularity and limited seating, early booking is highly recommended.

To purchase tickets and for more detailed information on the event schedule and offerings, click here.

Read related:

From a Princely hobby horse to a renowned international setting: A brief history of equestrianism in Monaco

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Longines Global Champions Tour 

CSM scientist sounds alarm on plastic pollution’s devastating impact on tropical coral reefs

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/03/2025

In a groundbreaking study set to be published in the April 2025 issue of Science of the Total Environment, a team of researchers, including Christine Ferrier-Pâgès, Research Director of the Ecophysiology and Ecology Team at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, has shed new light on how microplastic pollution and heat stress are impacting tropical corals. The study explores the intricate interplay between plastic pollution and coral physiology, as well as the long-term effects of climate change on the species’ survival.

Coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea”, face mounting challenges from climate change and pollution. Among these threats, microplastics and heat stress have emerged as some of the most significant disruptors of reefs—vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide coastal protection and sustain human livelihoods—by interfering with coral photosynthesis and growth.

Tiny plastic particles can lead to coral bleaching and tissue necrosis, jeopardising the delicate balance of reef ecosystems. Bleaching occurs when corals lose their symbiotic algae, a necessary energy source, forcing them to rely on plankton consumption for survival. However, until now, the extent to which plankton availability mitigates the effects of plastic pollution has remained unclear, leaving only part of the picture in focus.

See more: Jean-Jacques Risso takes the helm at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco

To bridge this knowledge gap, a research team led by Christine Ferrier-Pâgès, Research Director of the Ecophysiology and Ecology Team at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, along with collaborators María Antonieta López, Vanessa Tirpitz, Marie-Sa Do, Martin Czermak, Jessica Reichert and Maren Ziegler, conducted a six-week aquarium experiment followed by a short-term heat stress test on two coral species, Pocillopora verrucosa and Stylophora pistillata.

The study evaluated three distinct conditions. The first was a control group, in which corals received bi-weekly feeding without microplastic exposure. The second group was exposed to microplastics while also receiving bi-weekly feeding. Finally, the third group was exposed to microplastics but received daily feeding.

By measuring coral growth, photosynthesis and tissue composition, the study sought to determine how feeding influenced resilience to microplastic pollution.

Key findings

The research revealed surprising outcomes. While coral growth remained largely unaffected across all treatments, P. verrucosa exhibited a decline in energy reserves due to microplastic exposure. However, increased plankton feeding helped mitigate this loss, stabilising photosynthesis and respiration rates. Despite these benefits, when subjected to heat stress, all corals experienced severe bleaching. Interestingly, the microplastic-exposed corals showed slightly less bleaching, suggesting an unexpected interaction between plastic pollution and thermal stress.

As ocean temperatures rise and microplastics continue to accumulate, understanding their combined effects on coral resilience is crucial. This study highlights the need for further research to uncover the mechanisms driving these interactions. With coral reefs already facing unprecedented challenges, the findings underscore the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and climate change in tandem.

This research represents a critical step towards unravelling the complexities of coral survival in an era of environmental crisis. Scientific insights will continue to be invaluable in shaping conservation strategies and safeguarding the future of coral reefs worldwide.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Francesco Ungaro, Pexels

Earthquakes latest: Aftershocks ripple through the Riviera following 4.1 magnitude tremor

by: Elsa Carpenter
19/03/2025

In the wake of the 4.1 magnitude earthquake that struck southern France in the early evening of Tuesday 18th March, some 20 aftershocks of varying intensity have been recorded across the region. That first quake was by far the strongest, but a longer 3.8 Richter tremor was also noted by scientists just before 10.30pm, leading to an outpouring of concerned posts on social media from locals who feared that more was to come.

Since the initial 4.1 magnitude earthquake, which occurred at a depth of around 16 kilometres below the town of Coaraze, about 45 minutes north of Nice, around 20 additional quakes ranging from 0.8 to 3.8 on the Richter scale had been recorded as of 10am on Wednesday 19th March. The strongest aftershock came at 10.24pm and lasted noticeably longer than the first tremor, though both were accompanied by an unsettling boom.

Social media platforms were immediately flooded with reports of the first quake, with residents across the Côte d’Azur, as well as in Monaco and the neighbouring Italian region of Piedmont, sharing their personal experiences. Some wrote of rattling windows and doors, others noted the disquieting sound that accompanied the two strongest quakes, while those who have lived in the area for much of their lives spoke of memories of a similarly strong earthquake some 20 years ago.

In a bid to reassure the public, the Préfecture des Alpes-Maritimes published a statement on its own social media pages: “An earthquake with an estimated magnitude between 3.9 and 4.1 on the Richter scale was felt around 6.30pm this evening, with its epicentre located 10 km north of Nice. No injuries have been reported, but numerous calls have been received by emergency services. There is no risk of a tsunami or any expected impact on building or hillside/mountain infrastructure. State services remain on alert.”

Following the 3.8 Richter aftershock later that evening, a second statement was released: “A seismic aftershock was felt a few minutes ago at various locations across the department. This phenomenon, a lower-magnitude aftershock occurring in the hours and days following the initial event, is typical according to seismic experts… Aware that this may cause concern, it is important not to overwhelm emergency services with calls unless in urgent cases. State services remain mobilised and thank the people of the Alpes-Maritimes for their sense of responsibility.”

Earthquakes are common in this part of the Mediterranean, but a quake as strong as 4.1 is somewhat unusual.

Quakes of this strength can be easily felt by humans, but damage, if any, is minor. An estimated 500,000 earthquakes measuring between 2.5 and 5.1 in magnitude are recorded around the world each year. Meanwhile, Epos-France, the European Plate Observing System, typically reports 4,000 quakes annually on the French mainland.

Read related:

Two earthquakes shake Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes in a matter of hours

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Bureau Central Sismologique Français