04/05/2010

PARIS — This year’s Monte-Carlo TV Festival will head over the hill in style as U.S. series take center stage to celebrate the fest’s 50th year, organizers announced Tuesday.

The Festival will open on June 6 with a special screening of HBO’s “You Don’t Know Jack” with the film’s director Barry Levinson set to attend.

Festgoers will be singing the praises of ABC series “Glee” when Orange Cinema Series hosts a screening of an episode in the presence of series stars Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison on June 8. The party will continue on Wednesday June 9 with a special 50th birthday fete at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort.

The star-powered event will feature an eclectic mix of both U.S. and Gallic talent including Ice T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), LL Cool J (NCIS: Los Angeles), Scott Wolf (“V”), “Brothers & Sisters” stars Emily Vancamp and Luke MacFarlane, plus the young casts of hit series “90210” and “Melrose Place” and “The Vampire Diaries.” The stars of soaps “The Bold & the Beautiful” and “The Young & The Restless” will also be in town to add some daytime drama to the event.

The fest will end with its traditional closing ceremonies and Golden Nymph Awards on May 10th.

U.S. nominees for TV series include “Mad Men,” “Dexter” and “Lost” in the drama category and “30 Rock,” “The Office” and “Entourage” in the comedy category.

The festival will also mix business with pleasure to host a series of “TV Xchanges,” round tables, keynotes and lunches featuring TV biz professionals from across the globe focusing on themes such as new business models, funding sources and co-production.

All of the festival’s main events will take place at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum.

HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco flew in for the press conference Tuesday at Paris’ Hotel Bristol.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter