A Recap & Review of SeriesFest: Season 10

Written by John Edward Betancourt

James Pickens Jr., Camilla Luddington, Caterina Scorsone, Kim Raver, Kevin McKidd at SeriesFest: Season 10 on May 3, 2024 in Denver, CO. (Photo by Tom Cooper/Getty Images for SeriesFest)

It is definitely safe to say, that the convention/festival experience has changed greatly in 2024. Because what used to be an environment that felt relaxed, friendly, and welcoming, has transformed into so much more. Because much of that circuit now has become quite corporate in nature. Wherein there is less care about the experience and the memories made, and more love and thought are put into profits and what kind of giant names can walk the red carpet or appear in the celebrity designated area, and that’s unfortunate. Because festivals and conventions really do have the potential to be bastions of creativity and joy for all who attend.

Granted, this doesn’t apply to ALL conventions and festivals, but it is a fair majority of them and that’s why we need to celebrate and champion the cons and festivals that buck this notion and still want their event to be something special, memorable and a true service to the fan and its overall focus. Which is why SeriesFest, deserves a round of applause and every accolade we can send its way. For this celebration of television recently took place from May 1-5, and well, Season 10 was indeed quite incredible. Largely because of the legacy this festival has managed to create for itself, because going on for a decade is no small feat and that milestone was not lost on the staff and the attendees of this year’s ‘Fest.

Because everyone understood the gravity of that, and how… it meant that there was real history to the festival now. After all, so many big and beloved shows had their early screenings at SeriesFest and so many amazing original stories have been showcased through the Independent Pilot Competition and that added a real sense of glamour and glitz to this year’s festivities, and it also created a sense of awe and majesty. Primarily over the fact that SeriesFest has never lost sight of its mission. It has always been about celebrating episodic storytelling, of the wonder of the craft and of the people who dream up the ideas that make their way onto the screen. And that truth only helped to make for a pleasant experience for anyone who wanted to see exciting new shows, and those who were hoping their story would win the day or move toward a contract with a network.

For so many entrants this year spoke to how amazing it was to have their work taken seriously, to be alongside creators that wanted to accomplish the same goals as they did, which was to tell amazing and quality stories that defied convention. Which gave rise to a joyous vibe that hung over the festival all week long, and it truly came to a crescendo when the awards ceremony took place. Since the cheers were boisterous and the shock present from the winners, was authentic. Because they knew their work was taken seriously, that great thought went into who won these awards. But above all, that they were taken seriously as artists and creators and that their stories and their content, mattered deeply to everyone at SeriesFest.

All of which made, for the best season of SeriesFest to date. One that truly was filled to the brim with excitement from beginning to end, and where creativity was embraced and where fans and creatives alike were able to learn from the best in the biz. Since the innovation talks and panels offered up amazing insight and advice, and of course… you can never go wrong with the majesty of seeing a big name celebrity hanging out on the red carpet, and well… it was just nice to be reminded that there are festivals out there that hold to their mission over anything else, and refuse to budge on the matter, and that likely means… more great seasons are ahead for this festival and the storytelling present here will only get better. 

Simply because, the secret is out. In that, SeriesFest is the home of great television. And this writer is grateful for the opportunity to cover the incredible labor of love that Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith have given to life. One that has made dreams come true and reminds us of the power of television and how it is so much more than mindless entertainment, but a true medium for quality storytelling. The kind that can and will, inspire and stay with us long after an episode has come to a close.   

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