The 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival was officially announced open this evening by Honorary President H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. Following a glamorous Red Carpet featuring an exciting line-up of acting and creative talent from all over Europe*, the Golden Nymph Fiction and News juries were presented on stage at the Grimaldi Forum.
Fiction Jury President Swedish writer, director and producer Måns Mårlind was introduced along with fellow award-winning jury members, French actor Arnaud Ducret, German producer Moritz Polter, iconic French actor and singer, Joey Starr, British screenwriter and director Kay Mellor and Norwegian producer Anders Tangen.
While President of the News Jury, independent filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, was joined on stage by jury members Monegasque journalist Leila Ghandi, Italian producer Gisella Marengo, editor of France Télévisions Hugo Plagnard and Spanish RTVE international & investigative TV reporter, Pilar Requena.
Then followed the presentation of the Festival’s highest accolade, the Honorary Golden Nymph, to Emmy-award winner Darren Star. This award is bestowed upon a renowned professional for their extraordinary contribution to the entertainment and television industry.
American film and TV writer, director and producer Darren Star is best known for creating many global television successes, including Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Sex & The City, and Younger. Currently creator and executive producer of the Netflix streaming sensation Emily in Paris, Star was joined in Monaco by leading actors from the series, including Lucas Bravo and Ashley Park.
For the very first time in the 60-year history of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, a South African film was selected to open the five-day event. The worldwide premiere of high-end crime thriller Reyka, stars Kim Engelbrecht (Dominion, The Flash), Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey) and Thando Thabethe (How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding). Series’ director is Zwelesizwe Ntuli (Hard to Get) and producer Serena Cullen (Lady Chatterley’s Lover). Reyka is an 8 x 60’ series from Serena Cullen Productions and Quizzical Pictures for MNET, distributed globally by Fremantle.
In his opening speech in front of an invited audience in the Salle des Princes, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco declared, « Content is the force driving this industry. The technological revolution, at the heart of the media landscape transformation, has stimulated creativity in all its aspects ».
On presenting the Honorary Golden Nymph to Darren Star, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco declared, « The Honorary Golden Nymph is awarded to an extraordinary creative professional for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment and television industry whose work is recognized worldwide ».
CEO of the Festival, Laurent Puons, added, « We are looking forward to an exhilarating Festival to mark our Anniversary year. Television has never been more powerful than in recent times, providing breaking news and information as well as diverse content across all genres to keep us entertained. We are delighted to recognize the continued value of the small screen and to have so many of its leading performers and professionals join us in Monte-Carlo. »
* Please find here a list of Red Carpet talent.
« Content is the force driving this industry. The technological revolution, at the heart of the media landscape transformation, has stimulated creativity in all its aspects »
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