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Dame Kristin Scott Thomas Headlines Monte-Carlo TV Festival Business Forum

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas Headlines Monte-Carlo TV Festival Business Forum

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival Business Forum 2026 has unveiled the full programme and speaker line-up for its increasingly influential Business Forum, confirming its ambition to position the event as a key international hub for discussions around the future of television, streaming and digital storytelling.The enhanced three-day industry strand will combine high-profile Festival Press Conferences with a series of panels, masterclasses and networking events featuring leading executives, producers, writers, talent agents, journalists and creatives from across the global audiovisual sector. Among the headline guests are Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Kurt Russell and talent from The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Festival Executive Director Cécile Menoni highlighted the growing importance of the Business Forum within the Festival ecosystem, underlining its role as a platform for dialogue on the opportunities and challenges currently reshaping the television industry.

One of the most anticipated sessions, Filmmakers & Friends: Finding Truth & Being Authentic to Their Story, will feature actor and executive producer Aldis Hodge alongside creator and executive producer Ben Watkins discussing collaboration between actors, writers and producers in today’s television landscape. Another standout conversation will see acclaimed screenwriter Michael Hirst reflect on his career and creative philosophy during an in-depth interview moderated by Variety.
The programme also places strong emphasis on industry transformation and innovation. Panels such as Leading Ladies Changing the Channels will examine the growing influence of women in executive and creative leadership roles, while Talent, Creators & Agents, Navigating Today's Television Trends will explore how agencies and talent are adapting to the rapidly evolving entertainment ecosystem shaped by streaming, digital disruption and AI.

Artificial intelligence and digital storytelling will play a central role throughout the Forum. Sessions including Instinct vs Algorithm and AI in the Documentary Room will investigate how creators and executives are balancing data-driven commissioning strategies with human creativity, while also assessing the growing impact of AI tools on documentary production workflows.The Forum will additionally address regulatory pressures facing broadcasters and producers worldwide, with experts debating increasing governmental influence over television news, entertainment and drama production.

Returning for a second season is the Tell Me A Story Pitch Contest, developed in collaboration with producer Tom Jennings, designed to discover new factual storytelling talent. Selected finalists will pitch projects to an international jury and major industry executives, with the winner receiving development support and introductions to potential buyers.The Business Forum will also include exclusive masterclasses for emerging creators and expanded networking opportunities through the Festival Connect platform, reinforcing the Monte-Carlo Television Festival’s strategy of combining glamour, talent and high-level industry debate under one roof.

Industry professionals and creators can join the Business Forum and associated events by registering for the Pass Pro
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