Monte-Carlo Television Festival Chief on Why 64th Edition Stands Out
The 64th edition of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, known as the world’s oldest TV festival, kicked off on Friday with much anticipation. Laurent Puons, the festival’s general manager, shared his insights with Variety on what attendees can expect from this year’s event.
The festival is a unique blend of public engagement, press promotion, and industry networking. Puons emphasized that the festival aims to celebrate excellence in global television through various activities. One of the festival’s highlights is the presence of its patron, Prince Albert II of Monaco, who graces both the opening and closing ceremonies with his presence. This year, the festival will welcome esteemed guests such as Robin Wright, Judith Light, Rachel Griffiths, Jaz Sinclair, and Sope Dirisu.
A notable aspect of this year’s festival is the increased focus on women in leadership roles. For the first time, both the fiction and factual juries are headed by women – Light and French journalist Mireille Dumas, respectively. Additionally, the introduction of the Digital Award aims to recognize the cultural impact of digital-native talent. French content creator Squeezie, with over 19 million YouTube subscribers, is the recipient of this year’s Digital Award.
The festival also features prestigious awards such as the Crystal Nymph Award for outstanding career contributions, the Golden Nymph for promising talent, and the Crystal Nymph Award for French actor Pierre Arditi. The Business Content program offers insightful sessions with industry professionals, including discussions with executive producer Rola Bauer and David W. Zucker on their successful collaborations in the television industry.
The festival opened with the French premiere of “Watson,” a medical investigative show produced by CBS Studios and starring Morris Chestnut. Puons expressed confidence in the show’s potential for international success following its positive reception in the U.S.
Overall, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival promises a diverse and engaging program for attendees, showcasing the best of global television talent and innovation. With a mix of panel discussions, awards ceremonies, and exclusive screenings, the festival continues to be a premier event in the television industry.
