In launching the Festival in 1961, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, "wished to encourage a new form of artistic expression, in the service of peace and understanding for mankind".

Monaco's international status ideally suited the Prince's ambition: to recognize television as an exceptional means of bringing cultures together and enhancing their respective knowledge. This project immediately generated worldwide interest and over the years, many distinguished celebrities have sat on the successive juries, bringing international recognition to the best of television programming. In 1988, H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert II was named President of the Festival.

The Golden Nymph

The best programmes are awarded with the prestigious Golden Nymph, copies of the Salmacis Nymph created by Monaco sculptor, François-Joseph Bosio.

The original Nymph is still exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is made of marble, and measures 82 cm high, 85 cm large and 63 cm deep. After having worked for Napoléon, the Monaco sculptor François-Joseph Bosio (1768-1845) was given the name of "King's Senior Sculptor" by Louis XVIII. Creator of historical or mythological busts and low reliefs, he raised Louis XIV's statue on the Place des Victoires in Paris.

In 1825, he was nominated Officer of the Legion of Honour.

The sculpture of the Salmacis Nymph is perhaps one of his more elaborate works and shows enormous talent. It was Prince Rainier III of Monaco who would decide that the Salmacis Nymph was to be the statuette image of the Monte Carlo TV Festival. The Salmacis Nymph's symbolism is very strong. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite seduced Hermès, and from their union, a son, Hermaphrodite, was born, who was named after both gods.

Aphrodite left the baby in the care of the Phrygie nymphs. On day while Hermaphrodite was swimming in a lake a nymph of this place, Salmacis, dragged him down to the depths of the lake and convinced the gods that their two bodies be joined together so it would become one sole body with both sexes.

The URTI competition

The INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX FOR AUTHOR'S DOCUMENTARY has been organised and held every year since 1981 by the International Radio and Television Union  (URTI). It seeks to reward outstanding documentaries, which combine fascinating topics with a high level of technical expertise. The documentaries may present subjects which are either social or cultural. The competition’s main objective is to celebrate the finest contributions from documentary directors from around the world.

The International Grand Prix for Author's Documentary takes place every June in the context of the prestigious Monte-Carlo TV Festival, organised by the Principality, which is ideally suited to showcase the event.

The prize-winner of the International Grand Prix for Author's Documentary is awarded the sum of 10,000 $ from now on and is given the ARMAN trophy, made by this sculptor of world renown. Silver and bronze medals as well as the Martine Filippi Award for Discovery are also given.