The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is accepting entries for its 65th edition, which runs from 12th to 16th June, with notable changes to its competition categories reflecting shifts in how audiences consume content.

The 2026 Golden Nymph Awards Competition features four official categories: Fiction, Major News and Current Affairs, Digital, and the Prince Rainier III Special Prize. Partner organisations including the Monégasque Red Cross and AMADE will also award special prizes selected from submitted programmes.

The most significant change affects the Major News and Current Affairs category, which now prioritises in-depth, field-based investigative journalism over other news formats. The revised criteria emphasise direct observation, rigorous reporting and firsthand testimony, with a focus on content illuminating major societal, cultural and geopolitical realities, including contemporary conflict zones.

Digital category enters second year

The Digital Prize, introduced last year, recognises content created exclusively for digital platforms and distributed solely on YouTube. Eligible programmes must use unscripted formats without actors or pre-written dialogue. Two Golden Nymph Awards are presented: Best Original Digital Creation and Best Digital Documentary.

The category’s addition reflects broader industry trends as traditional broadcasters compete with streaming services and social media platforms for audience attention. YouTube reported over 2.5 billion monthly users in 2024, making it a significant distribution channel for audiovisual content.

Six decades of television recognition

The Golden Nymph Awards have been presented since the Festival’s inception, establishing themselves as among international television’s most recognised honours. The competition showcases programmes to audiences, press and industry professionals annually, with past winners including productions from major broadcasters and streaming services worldwide.

Entry remains free for all industry professionals globally, with formats produced for television and streaming platforms eligible for consideration. The submission deadline is Thursday 19th March, with the official selection announced in May. The awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday 16th June.

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Photo of Prince Albert II with actress Simone Ashley by Monaco Life