This 64th edition of the Monte Carlo TV Festival affirmed Monte‑Carlo’s status as a melting pot where global television artistry, stars and fans interact. Almost too many stars to count! The broad slate of award winners—from serious dramas to hard-hitting documentaries and environmental pieces reveals the breadth of storytelling celebrated. Premieres grounded the event in fresh content, while star-hosted ceremonies and public events kept the energy high.
The Opening Ceremony was hosted by journalist and presenter Genie Godula alongside Prince Albert, Honorary President of the Festival. She welcomed guests and introduced the evening’s program alongside tributes and official remarks. Hosts and Masters of Ceremonies for award events featured Ricky Whittle and Shy’m. They wouid entertainingly introduce the highly anticipated premieres and screenings and, of course, the Golden Nymph awards.
Premieres & Screenings
And so audiences were treated to a mix of premiere events be they World Premiers, International Premieres and, of course, French Premieres.
Standouts included The French premiere of CBS’s medical‑mystery series Watson, starring Morris Chestnut and Craig Sweeny, which debuted after the Opening Ceremony on June 13. Then there was the exclusive screening of Mort sur terre battue (non-competition) on June 16, attended by director Denis Malleval and leads Yannick Noah and Florent Peyre. Also there was a special presentation of AKRIS – Fashion With a Heritage (non-competition) on June 16 followed by a Q&A and featuring Albert Kriemler. And special note… Princess Charlene appears in the documentary.
The AKRIS team have a very much admired Women with Purpose project, which highlights engaged women, including actress Robin Wright. Participating at a luncheon with the AKRIS team was Princess Charlene.
Golden Nymph Awards: The Winners
The prestigious Golden Nymphs were awarded on June 17 in the Salle des Princes:
Fiction Category
Winner of Best Film: On a Day in September (Germany, co-produced by ZDF/ARTE)
Winner of Best Series: Vanguard (Sweden, FLX & SVT)
Winner in Best Creation: Don’t Give Up (South Africa)
And then the personal accolades for the stars including Best Actress, Hélène Alexandridis for On a Day in September and Best Actor, Jakob Oftebro for Vanguard
The Jury Special Prize went to the ensemble cast of Good Cop / Bad Cop (Australia/USA)
Who would the Audience vote for?
It was – The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (UK)
recognised by the BetaSeries Public Prize
Dear to all hearts including of course Monegasque hearts are the Prince Rainier and Special Prizes. The Prince Rainier III Special Prize (Environmental) went to Rewilding Sharks (Indonesia–Hong Kong)
And then two Special Prizes, including AMADE Prize (Children’s rights): Children in the Fire and the Monaco Red Cross Prize: L’ange de Boutcha “The Angel of Boutcha” (France)
Keeping on a serious note were the prizes for News & Documentaries including for the Best News Program which was Witness – Please Enjoy Our Tragedies (Al Jazeera English, Qatar) and Best Documentary: Soumission chimique, pour que la honte change de camp “Chemical submission, so that shame changes sides” ( France) following a shameful case where a victim is drugged and violated.
The Jury Special Prize went to Children in the Fire (Ukraine / USA)
Wait for it! There’s more, much more which included two very special recognitions including the Crystal Nymph Tribute to French actor Pierre Arditi who received the career‑honouring Crystal Nymph Award in front of Prince Albert during the Opening Ceremony, marking a celebration of his enduring contributions to television. And during the opening Jaz Sinclair (from Gen V) was recognized as “Most Promising International Talent” with a Golden Nymph.
Fan Engagement Highlights
The festival’s Diverto Fan Zone buzzed with energy, offering free public autograph sessions, photo booths, live interviews, series-themed blind tests, and interactive activities. Attendees could meet cast members from Teen Wolf (including Tyler Hoechlin, Tyler Posey, Holland Roden, Charlie & Max Carver), Chicago Fire/Med/P.D., and the French dramas Demain Nous Appartient and Un Si Grand Soleil, all of whom participated in behind‑the‑scenes panels and signing events. A warm celebration of French TV favourites included a special 15th‑anniversary meet‑up with the cast of Scènes de Ménages .
During the closing ceremony Robin Wright was honoured with a separate Crystal Nymph Award for her distinguished television career.
For both trade insiders and TV lovers, the festival offered a blend of industry insight, creative recognition, audience immersion, and networking—a recipe that places Monaco at the heart of the global TV calendar.
None of all this would exist without the vision of Prince Rainier III, who founded the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 1961 to celebrate the best in international television. Today, that vision thrives more vibrantly than ever—set against the glamour of Monaco, where creativity, culture, and global storytelling come together under one princely banner.
