Monaco, May 21, 2013 - Crossing Lines, a ground-breaking procedural crime drama, has been selected as the premiere screening for the Opening Ceremonies of the 53rd edition of the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo on Sunday, June 9, it was announced by Laurent Puons, Executive Vice-President of the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo. Crossing Lines is produced by Tandem Communications (The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End) and Bernero Productions (Criminal Minds, Third Watch) in co-production with TF1 Production/TF1 Network and in association with Sony Pictures Television Networks. The series was created and developed by Edward Allen Bernero and Tandem President Rola Bauer, who both serve as Executive Producers. Crossing Lines, a new series with an international pedigree, stars William Fichtner (Prison Break, Black Hawk Down), Marc Lavoine (The Good Thief, My Wife is an Actress), Gabriella Pession (Wilfred, Jesus), Tom Wlaschiha (Game of Thrones, Brideshead Revisited), Richard Flood (Titanic: Blood & Steel, Three Wise Women), Moon Dailly (OSS 117: Lost in Rio, Black Heaven) and Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winner Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games, The Pillars of the Earth, Path to War). Crossing Lines is set in exciting and exotic locations, and taps into the charter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to mandate a special crime unit to investigate serialized crimes that cross over borders, hunt down criminals and bring them to justice. "Crossing Lines is an ideal project for the Opening Ceremony premiere screening because it is a truly global production, and a prototype for what we believe will be the future of the television business model," Laurent Puons commented. "We are honored to welcome the creative team and talented cast to the Festival." As previously announced by Laurent Puons, Sutherland will be honored during the Opening Ceremony with the inaugural Crystal Nymph Award for his lifelong achievements in film and television. Crossing Lines was jointly commissioned by TF1 in France where it will premiere in the Fall and Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks. SPT Networks is to premiere Crossing Lines on its channels (including AXN and SET) in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. The Festival de Télévision de Monte Carlo Opening will be first premiere screening of Crossing Lines anywhere in the world, it is also the first time in its history the festival will open with a television series premiere. "International crime has historically been a problem very difficult to overcome," says Ed Bernero. "The volume of these crimes has expanded in a world in which we’re all wired, giving criminals increasing access to high tech illegal activities. But the laws do not support cross border investigations, often giving criminals the edge. The unique team in Crossing Lines WOULD have the authority to pursue these crimes, giving our international audience a fresh and powerful drama. We couldn’t be happier to see it open this year’s Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo." "We are honored and thrilled to see Crossing Lines given the first-ever distinction of a drama SERIES opening the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo," says Rola Bauer. "Ed Bernero’s brilliant stories, our gifted cast, the extraordinary locations we’ve shot in Europe, all combine to make a truly international drama series that literally and figuratively transcends boundaries. With the support of STUDIOCANAL, we have completed the first 10 hours and we are extremely proud to show the results at Monte Carlo." Other highlights of the 53rd Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo, June 9 - 13, 2013, include the international television program competition and awards, premiere screenings, prestigious receptions and social events organized by some of the major networks and studios which all contribute to the glamour and ambiance of Monaco. The international television festival gathers the leading and most successful creative forces of the industry with the presence of more than 300 journalists from around the world offering a unique promotional platform.