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Month: June 2025

Monaco entrepreneur launches world’s first real-time AI generated film

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
03/06/2025
Image generated using EverTrail

Monaco-based entrepreneur Giacomo Bonavera made waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival unveiling EverTrail—the world’s first real-time interactive AI-generated film experience that allows global audiences to shape stories as they unfold.

The groundbreaking platform, developed by Bonavera’s company IZSIT, streams live on Twitch and represents a radical departure from traditional cinema. Unlike Netflix’s choose-your-own adventure content with predetermined paths, EverTrail generates entirely new narratives in real-time using artificial intelligence.

“It’s not like Black Mirror where you just choose a different direction,” Bonavera told Monaco Life. “ChatGPT creates everything on the spot—nothing is premade”.

EverTrail’s live demonstration at Cannes marked the platform’s first showcase, deliberately kept secret until the moment of revelation. The system responds to audience input within seconds. When viewers vote for their preferred narrative direction through Twitch chat, AI immediately generates new visuals and story elements.

“Everybody was a bit shocked,” Bonavera recalls of the Cannes audience reaction. “We didn’t talk about it before—it’s been in stealth this whole time.”

photo generated with EverTrail

Real-time storytelling revolution

The platform features eleven AI avatars with distinct personalities who narrate and interact with evolving stories. Currently, EverTrail generates static images in real-time—a limitation Bonavera is transparent about but sees as temporary.

“It doesn’t look great yet because it’s just a still image,” he admits. “With the tests we’ve done with video generators, the cinematic look is amazing, but the problem is it takes too long.”

However, Bonavera’s team is negotiating with three major AI video companies—Luma AI, Pika Labs, and MiniMax—to secure better resources and reduce generation time from the current one-to-two minutes to fifteen seconds maximum.

Giacomo Bonavera

“If we can bring down the time to generate a video to 15 seconds, 30 thirty seconds, we’ll launch it within a month,” he says. “We’re trying to get deeper partnerships so we can create that cinematic experience.”

Beyond direct consumer engagement, Bonavera sees EverTrail as licensable technology for other creators and platforms.

“The idea is to license this out so other people can use our model to create content,” he explains.

The company plans to launch a comprehensive marketing campaign this week, targeting early adopters and content creators. At the moment, EverTrail is available through the IZSIT platform across Apple App Store, Google Play, Roku, Fire TV, and Android TV.

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  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

All photos provided by Giacomo Bonavera

 

France draws the line on smoking: new outdoor ban to protect children from 1st July

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/06/2025

The French government is lighting the way to a healthier future by stamping out smoking in most outdoor public spaces where children gather. From 1st July, puffing a cigarette on beaches, in parks or near schools could land smokers with a hefty fine as the nation takes a firm stand for cleaner air and a cleaner conscience.

Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin last week announced that smoking will be outlawed in outdoor spaces frequented by children, including playgrounds, public gardens, sports venues and bus shelters. The aim is to shield younger generations from the dangers of second-hand smoke and the pollution left behind by cigarette butts.

“Tobacco must disappear wherever children are present,” Vautrin told Ouest-France, highlighting a cultural shift in a country once defined by its smoky cafés and laissez-faire attitude toward smoking.

The crackdown doesn’t end with public health. France is also targeting the staggering 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of cigarette litter discarded on its streets each year.

From 1st July, lighting up in restricted areas could result in a €135 fine. While café terraces and e-cigarettes are not included in the ban, the message is clear: the public space for smoking in France is rapidly disappearing.

This landmark policy marks the latest chapter in France’s long-running campaign against tobacco. After indoor smoking bans rolled out in 2007 and 2008, the number of daily smokers has dropped dramatically, with tobacco sales falling by over 11% in 2024 alone. The French Observatory for Drugs and Addiction now reports that fewer than one in four adults smoke daily, the lowest figure since the 1990s.

The move follows in the footsteps of the UK, parts of Spain, and Sweden, which have already imposed similar restrictions in outdoor public spaces. The move has strong public backing, with over 60% of French citizens support the ban.

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  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo credit: Huzaifa Ginwala, Unsplash

Nice set to host Europe’s biggest light drone show

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
03/06/2025

Nice is gearing up to host the biggest light drone show in Europe on Friday 6th June. The unique spectacle will feature 2,025 illuminated drones dancing across the Mediterranean sky along the iconic Quai des États-Unis.

Organisers are hosting this free event to coincide with the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC 3), creating an unforgettable experience that combines art, technology, and a commitment to ocean preservation.

The evening kicks off at 8:30pm with a French electronic music experience featuring two well-known DJs from the nation’s electronic scene.

Agoria, who also performed at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will bring his atmospheric soundscapes to the Riviera. Joining him is Cassius, a cornerstone of French electronic music. His career has helped define the country’s distinctive ‘French Touch’ sound.

For two hours, the duo will alternate iconic tracks from their repertoires, before delivering an exceptional back-to-back set. The later promises to be a unique moment where both DJs will mix together, creating something truly special for electronic music enthusiasts.

Light drone show above the Promenade des Anglais

The highlight arrives at 10:45pm when 2,025 drones will take to the skies above the Promenade des Anglais. Spectators are set to witness an unprecedented aerial choreography – a record never before achieved in Europe.

The specific number of drones – 2,025 – symbolically reflects the year itself.

Nice has already proven its ability to deliver extraordinary drone displays. Back in 2o24, the city hosted a similar memorable show during the 2024 Tour de France.

Set to exceed all expectations in both scale and ambition, this event promises a truly immersive experience. Ville de Nice calls it “an unforgettable visual and auditory experience”.

For access, organisers encourage the use of public transport, with all public transport across the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan network exceptionally free on 6th, 7th, and 8th June.

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  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo by Ville de Nice

 

 

Art Monte-Carlo returns with bold new vision and expanded programming

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/06/2025

The prestigious Art Monte-Carlo fair is set to return to the Grimaldi Forum for its ninth edition on the 8th and 9th July, promising a vibrant and expanded celebration of international contemporary art under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

For the first time, the fair will occupy the newly extended spaces of the Grimaldi Forum. “This edition reflects our ambition to strengthen a prestigious international event in the Principality,” said Art Monte-Carlo Director Charlotte Diwan. “Art Monte-Carlo aims to be a unifying platform for cultural players in the region, while asserting Monaco’s place in the global art market.”

A curated lineup of 24 prominent international galleries will exhibit works, including returning powerhouses such as Almine Rech, Mennour, and Robilant + Voena, alongside new participants like Waddington Custot and Galerie Suzanne Tarasieve. A specially curated solo section will spotlight artists such as Houda Terjuman and Leonor Fini, while art publisher Taschen will present a selection of contemporary editions.

A major highlight of this year’s fair is the collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, which will unveil a booth showcasing the architectural future of the iconic museum. A central curated display titled Colors!—presented by Didier Ottinger—will explore 20th-century masterpieces through the lens of colour, in parallel with the much-anticipated exhibition of the same name at the Grimaldi Forum.

In another innovation, the fair welcomes interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch as guest designer, presenting a dedicated 60m² installation that blends collectible design with contemporary art. The fair also introduces a dynamic new talks programme, hosted in Olivier Vadrot’s agora-inspired KERKIS installation, with conversations featuring major art world voices including Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Simon de Pury, and Stefano Rabolli Pansera.

Maison Piaget, Art Monte-Carlo’s new luxury partner, will present exceptional watchmaking and jewellery pieces as part of its long-standing engagement with artistic creation and craftsmanship.

Visitors can also explore several exhibitions during their stay, including Les Années Folles de Coco Chanel at Villa Paloma, Cactus at Villa Sauber, and the ocean-themed installation Demain l’Océan? at Port de Monaco. Coinciding with the fair is Monaco Art Week, running from 7th to 12th July, uniting 15 galleries and auction houses across the Principality.

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  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo source: Art Monte-Carlo

Young creatives to compete in 5th edition of Monaco’s Street Art Challenge Junior

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/06/2025

This June, Monaco’s vibrant urban art scene will once again come to life as the Street Art Challenge Junior returns for its fifth edition, bringing colour and creativity to the Promenade du Larvotto on the 14th and 15th June.

Organised by the Mairie de Monaco in collaboration with WSM Events and as part of the larger UPAINT festival, the competition is open to students from 4ème to Terminale who are enrolled in schools across the Principality. With a strong focus on encouraging youth expression through contemporary art forms, this year’s edition will follow the theme ‘UPAINT The Ocean’.

Two teams, each comprising up to four young artists, will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Each team will be provided with a dedicated 1m x 1m wall and canvas, along with all necessary materials courtesy of UPAINT. Over the course of the weekend, they will be tasked with creating original murals inspired by the oceanic theme.

The works will be judged by a panel that includes celebrated street artists affiliated with UPAINT. This professional evaluation, alongside the high-profile public setting, offers participants a rare opportunity to gain exposure and experience in the urban art world. The award ceremony is set to take place on Monday 16th June at 6pm, with all participating artists expected to attend.

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  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene unveil two new portraits in Monaco’s Salle des Mariages

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/06/2025

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene have unveiled two significant portraits—one of Princess Grace and one of Princess Charlène herself—at the heart of Monaco’s historic Salle des Mariages, enriching the symbolic space with a feminine presence.

In the presence of Monaco’s Mayor Georges Marsan and several members of the Communal Council, the princely couple revealed the portraits in special ceremony on 2nd June. The new additions join the existing gallery of sovereign portraits that line the room, featuring Prince Charles III, Prince Albert I, Prince Louis II, Prince Rainier III, and Prince Albert II. The latest additions bring balance to the collection and honour the principality’s iconic women.

“It is both an honour and a joy of my role, and that of my fellow councillors, to witness marriages in such a magnificent setting,” said Mayor Georges Marsan. “I am convinced that the presence of these beautiful portraits will add to the emotion and happiness that so often fills this historic room.”

The portrait of Princess Charlene, painted in 2013 by South African artist Stéphanie Van Zyl, is a delicate gouache on white paper and was personally presented by the artist during the event. The portrait of Princess Grace is an oil on canvas by Paul Werner Sochtig. Both works are currently on loan from the Palais Princier.

Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and Mayor Georges Marsan underneath a portrait of Princess Grace. Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Symbolism guided the placement of the two portraits. Princess Charlene’s likeness faces that of her husband, while Princess Grace’s is positioned opposite Prince Rainier III—bringing together two princely couples in a space devoted to love and union. The Salle des Mariages, the only room in the Mairie to retain its original decor from 1902, remains a jewel of classical and Renaissance architectural styles, with ornate woodwork, gilded accents, and a grand coffered ceiling.

With nearly 200 weddings celebrated here each year, the Salle des Mariages remains a cherished venue. Visitors will have the opportunity to view these newly installed portraits during the European Heritage Day on Sunday 5th October.

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  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Main photo source: Mairie de Monaco