Monte-Carlo TV Festival 2020 cancelled

Monte-Carlo Television Festival had been set for June. Photo: Grimaldi Forum

This year’s Monte-Carlo Television Festival has been cancelled, with the next edition set to take place in June 2021.

The 60th edition of the event had been due to take place from June 19 to 23 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

However, the Covid-19 outbreak means the next edition has been rescheduled for June 18-22, 2021 at the same venue.

Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, said: “We have been confronted with an unprecedented situation which is unfortunately currently depriving us all of our freedom for an indefinite period of time.

“It is with great regret that I am obliged to cancel the 2020 edition of our Television Festival in June. We must all take up our responsibilities to protect what is most precious: our health, that of our loved ones and of our festival-goers.

“The safety of the talent and public attending the event is paramount. I would like to thank all the sponsors, studios, networks, streaming platforms, festival-goers and journalists who had renewed their commitment to this year’s Festival. I’ll be delighted to welcome them in Monaco next June.”

Puons also praised his team, saying it had “worked tirelessly to get the event to its current stage of organisation. I look forward to next year, when we can celebrate with peace of mind together this 60th anniversary, which, as in previous years, will reach new heights.”

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is the latest in a string of industry events to be canned as the world battles with the coronavirus outbreak. MipTV in Cannes, Series Mania in Lille, The Banff World Media Festival and the LA Screenings are among those to have already been cancelled in 2020.