The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is in full swing after a weekend of events featuring Prince Albert II and a retinue of stars, including Julia de Nunez and Harlan Coben.

The 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival, a staple in the Monaco events calendar, kicked off on 16th June with a red-carpet opener by Honorary President Prince Albert at the Grimaldi Forum.  

In his speech, he reminded those gathered of his father’s foresight in creating the event.  

“This year is particularly special for me, for my family and for the people of Monaco as 2023 marks the centenary celebration of the birth of my father, Prince Rainier III,” he said. “My father was among the first to recognise the incredible capacity and power of television to entertain, inform and educate people throughout the world. By creating the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 1961, he pledged to honour the outstanding women and men who build cultural bridges between countries throughout the world.” 

BIG NAME JURISTS 

The opening night was a star-studded event where jury members judging the competitors for this year’s Golden Nymph Awards were introduced. The list included American actor John Goodman, whose film and television career has spanned over 35 years and who has featured in such hit shows as Roseanne, as well as films like The Big Lebowski and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. He will be judging the Fiction category as President. 

Joining him as President of the News and Documentary jury is Tom Jennings, the Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentarian. 

Also on the opening night, as a tribute to “exceptional rising talent”, the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent was presented to Julia de Nunez, the French actress who recently played Brigitte Bardot in the series Bardot. 

SPECIAL HONOURS FOR HARLAN COBEN

Additionally, best-selling author Harlan Coben was presented with the festival’s inaugural Honorary Diploma for his “outstanding contribution to global literature, arts and entertainment”.  

To round out the evening, guests were treated to the world premiere screening of the first episode in an eight-part drama series by Coben called Shelter, which focuses on a teacher who tries to start over in a new town after the death of his father, but finds himself embroiled in the mysterious disappearance of a student.  

Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, said, “Our festival continues to raise the bar each year. It is a real honour to have such a wealth of global talent, both in and out of competition, joining us to celebrate the incredible diversity of television across all genres. We look forward to delivering an exciting and very special event this coming week in Monaco.” 

Over the weekend, attendees were also granted access to several screenings, talks and fan meetings. 

The gala dinner and Golden Nymph awards ceremony will take place on 20th June in the Salle des Princes of the Grimaldi Forum, with content creator Lena Situations and actor Ricky Whittle presenting. 

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Government Communications Department