Monte-Carlo Television Festival Chief on Why 64th Edition stands out
The 64th edition of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, the world’s oldest TV festival, was open on Friday. Variety Speaked with Laurent Puons, the general manager of the festival, about what he has planned.
The festival, of which puons says it is ‘excellence in worldwide television’, is a triple threat: first of all, it is a public festival and encourages a high level of involvement in the fans; Secondly, it is a gathering point for European press, where TV companies can promote their shows; And thirdly, it offers members of the industry the opportunity to meet each other and attend current panels as part of the company content program.
The festival has an asset in the sleeve: the patron is Prince Albert II of Monaco, who attends both the opening and lock ceremonies. Among the festival guests that he will welcome to the Grimaldi forum this year, his Robin Wright, Judith Light, Rachel Griffiths, Jaz Sinclair and Sope Dirisu.
In three respects, this year’s edition will stand out: firstly, it is the first time that the heads of both the fiction jury and the actual jury – light and French journalist Mireille Dumas – have been women; Secondly, it sees the launch of the Digital Award, made to honor “innovation, creativity and the cultural impact of digital-native talent”; And third, it sees the launch of the young maker.
The recipient of this year’s digital award is Squeezie, the leading content creator of France with more than 19 million YouTube subscribers. He is “the best in this area,” says puons. The prize is introduced because “the audiovisual landscape is changing rapidly” and the festival “must always remain first [of developments]”Says puons.
Other highlights on the festival, says puons, include the Crystal Nymph Award who goes to Wright in honor of “an individual from the television world for their exceptional career and lasting impact on industry; the Golden Nymph for the most promising talent that goes to Sinclair Pierre for the French Award for the French Award television career.
One of the highlights of the Business Content Program is a session with executive producer Rola Bauer talking to Wright talking about turning points in their career, entitled “Embracing Challenges: Journey through the lens of two women.” Wright Stars, directs and is an executive producer for the upcoming psychological thriller “The Girlfriend” for Prime Video, which Bauer played an important role in starting the kick when she was MGM Studios in Amazon.
Another striking is a conversation between David W. Zucker, Chief Creative Officer of Scott Free and executive producer of the crime drama “Dope Thief” for Apple, and “Alien: Earth” for FX and Bauer. In the session, entitled “Chaos embrace: Journeys through the television-cultural”, they will discuss their partnership about pioneering international co-productions such as “The Pillars of the Earth” (Starz/Channel 4), “The Company” (TNT) and “Labyrinth” (“Channel 4), on their current) on the current collaboration) on the current collaboration) on the current collaboration with the current collaboration with the current collaboration with the current collaboration) the current collaboration) the current collaboration, the current collaboration, the current collaboration, the current collaborationingeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningen partingeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningeningenenen” MGM series (“Vikingen”) for the Amazon MGM series “Vikingen”) for the Amazon MGM series “Vikingen”) for the Amazon MGM series “Vikingen”) for the Amazon MGM series “Vikingen”) for the Amazon Mgm-Series “) Vak-Series”) Amazon MGM series “Vikingen”) for the Amazon MGM series “, Viken”). “Pompeii: a day of fire.”
The festival was opened with the French premiere of ‘Watson’, a medical show with a strong research back. The show, produced by CBS Studios, star Morris Chestnut who attends the festival. “Watson” has already proven itself in the US and I am sure it will also be an international success, “says puons.
