After inviting Donald Sutherland, Patricia Arquette and Marg Helgenberger to the last year’s Monte-Carlo International TV Festival, the festival has stepped it up a notch once again, awarding Helen Mirren with the Cristal Nymph and ending the 57th edition.

Helen Mirren got on stage, after already receiving the Best Actress Award in Cannes in 1984 (Cal) and an Oscar for the same title in 2007 (The Queen), and accepted the award from Prince Albert II. In his presence, she spoke of her love for television, as well as her current and future plans: “Television entertains, educates, keeps things moving, transports you and changes the world. We are in a period of great, passionate television as we’ve witnessed tonight. Such extraordinary and rich projects. I look at this Nymph that symbolises my past success and it gives me hope for the future, one where I’d love to be a part of future television”.

A conscious ceremony

Those who received golden Nymphs in the news category showed powerful documentaries that dealt with highly pertinent issues. At the heart of the discussion, the directors wanted the public to reflect on the migration crisis. The Italian Domenico Iannacone dedicated his prize for the Rai produced film Out of Sight to “all those that welcome migrants rather than building walls”. Journalist Jean-Paul Mari received recognition for his reportage on the Aquarius, the ship that helps migrants out at sea, and spoke of a “war reportage” and of humans who “have stared death straight in the eye”. “Is the Mediterranean really the immense cemetery that it is becoming? What does being human mean? For me the answer is simple. A man is someone who doesn’t turn away and rejects what is unacceptable”.

Golden Nymphs Awards Winners:

The Prince Rainier III Special Prize: Midway: A Plastic Island

The Festival’s Crystal Nymph Award: Dame Helen Mirren

Award for Outstanding Actor: Aksel Hennie for “Nobel”

Award Jury Grand Prize: “Saudi Arabia Uncovered”