Written by John Edward Betancourt  Once a convention’s programming schedule is released, there are rarely changes to it. Simply because it took hours upon hours to bring the programming schedule to fruition in the first place and by having it set in stone, the convention staff can turn their attention to other matters for the big event. But not all conventions are created equal, and some… understand that their unique programming can be enhanced and tinkered with and added to. Allowing for the attendees to really get their money’s worth and for the con in question… to really establish itself as the premier gathering for the topic at hand, and one such con that meets those criteria, is SeriesFest.
For this celebration of television is only getting bigger in scope as SeriesFest 8 approaches. For earlier today, SeriesFest announced that it is adding more special events, and screenings and panels for SeriesFest 8. Making it clear that this is going to be an event worth everyone’s time, one that truly celebrates the wonder of episodic television, and without further ado… here are those additions, and a link to the complete schedule, courtesy of SeriesFest. 'In anticipation of the annual award-winning international television festival, SeriesFest today unveiled new additions to its previously announced Season 8 lineup taking place May 5 - 11 in Denver, Colorado. Additions to the prominent Season 8 roster of screenings, panels and special events will be:
SeriesFest continues to celebrate and support underserved voices in storytelling with its anticipated International Spotlight. In partnership with Liberty Global, seven original works from around the globe, including two award winners from CanneSeries, will make their U.S. or world debut at the festival. Attendees will also be able to screen the 2022 College Television Award winners selected by members of the Television Academy, as part of SeriesFest’s College Television Award Winners Showcase in partnership with the Television Academy Foundation. Recognizing student creators nationwide, this showcase will feature a Q&A with the creators of the four award-winning projects. In association with Google, SeriesFest is also thrilled to announce the return of the Powderkeg: Fuse, a development incubator for directors that is curated and mentored by Paul Feig. SeriesFest will showcase the work of the Powderkeg: Fuse’s five directors during the “Incubating an Idea on Screen” special event which will be followed by a conversation on how filmmakers can be strategic when developing and producing shorts as a proof of concept. The panel will include Kesila Childers (Vice President of Development, Powderkeg), Erica Fishman (Head of Production, Powderkeg), Elle Roth-Brunet (EP, Head of Content & Entertainment Partnerships, Google), and the five directors chosen to work with Powderkeg, Fawzia Mirza, Tedra WIlson, Nat Prisco, Ashley Eakin, and Jeanne Jo. “SeriesFest is an incredible platform for the creative community, and we are so excited to have the series of shorts from the Powderkeg: Fuse incubator program in association with Google premiering at the festival,” said Elle Roth-Brunet, Executive Producer on the shorts, and Google’s Head of Content & Entertainment Partnerships. “Google had the privilege to help select and provide resources for these visionary female filmmakers’ work and we look forward to seeing them come to life on the big screen next month as a part of a complete collection.” The above events join the previously announced SeriesFest: Season 8 roster including the U.S. premiere of STARZ’s “Becoming Elizabeth” on Opening Night; “Innovation Talks” with Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries, Emmy-nominated comedian and director W. Kamau Bell (“We Need to Talk About Cosby”) and NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans; comedian Amber Ruffin will open SeriesFest’s Centerpiece event at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre with a screening of her favorite episode of “The Amber Ruffin Show” (Peacock) just ahead of headliner and chart-topping alternative rock band Lake Street Dive; plus more! NEW SPECIAL EVENTS, SCREENINGS & PANELS (Full Schedule HERE): FRIDAY, MAY 6 CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: FOCUS ON INDIGENOUS REPRESENTATION IN TELEVISION - PANEL Presented in partnership with Cherokee Nation Film Office and with support from Visit Denver In Attendance: Jennifer Loren (Director of the Cherokee Nation Film Office & Original Content.), Stacey Rice (Casting Director), and Sierra Teller Ornelas (Co-Creator/Showrunner, Rutherford Falls). Native Americans on television have often been represented as historical people in different iterations of dramatic period pieces. Television is finally changing that trend with new shows to tell the stories of Native Americans as they are today. Modern Native American characters are a welcome change for Native creators, writers, executive producers, actors as well as casting directors who join this special discussion. XFINITY IN STORE MEET AND GREET - SPECIAL EVENT Xfinity is opening its doors to some of SeriesFest's most exciting talent during the festival by hosting in-store meet and greets and autograph signings. Jim O'Heir ("Parks and Recreation", "Bless This Mess") will visit Xfinity Centennial (8222 S Yosemite Street, Suite 110) on Friday, May 6 from 4-5pm. RSVP is not necessary, and all are welcome to stop by to hear about the actors' most notable roles and where to catch them next. SATURDAY, MAY 7 “GASLIT” (STARZ) - NETWORK SCREENING AND PANEL Moderated by Gerrad Hall (Sr. Awards Editor, Entertainment Weekly) In Attendance: Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer Robbie Pickering (“Mr Robot,” “Search Party”) SeriesFest presents an episode of STARZ’s new limited series “Gaslit.” The show is a modern take on the 1970s political Watergate scandal centering on untold stories and forgotten characters of the time starring Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Dan Stevens, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, and Darby Camp. Creator/Showrunner Robbie Pickering will join for an extended conversation after the screening. BEHIND THE SCENES: ACTORS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAMERA - PANEL Presented in partnership with SAG-AFTRA Moderated by Abbey White (Associate Editor, The Hollywood Reporter) In Attendance: Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, “The Purge”), Peter Paige (“Station 19,” “The Fosters,” “Good Trouble”), Diallo Riddle (“Sherman’s Showcase”, “Southside”) and Tara Westwood (“The Grudge”) Actors are often known for the famous characters they portray on screen, but they are increasingly taking on entirely new roles - that of director or producer. Join us for a conversation with prominent actors that have decided to go behind the camera as we discuss the highlights and challenges of transitioning from on-screen to off screen. COLLEGE TELEVISION AWARD WINNERS SHOWCASE - SPECIAL SCREENING & PANEL Presented in partnership with Television Academy Foundation SeriesFest is thrilled to partner with the Television Academy Foundation to showcase the 2022 College Television Award winners, as voted on by members of the Television Academy. This showcase will feature a Q&A with four award winning projects from the renowned competition that recognizes student content creators nationwide. XFINITY IN STORE MEET AND GREET - SPECIAL EVENT Xfinity is opening its doors to some of SeriesFest's most exciting talent during the festival by hosting in-store meet and greets and autograph signings. Denzel Whitaker (The Great Debaters, Black Panther) will appear at Xfinity Cherry Creek (100 Detroit Street Suite 105) on Saturday, May 7th from 2:30-3:30pm. RSVP is not necessary, and all are welcome to stop by to hear about the actors' most notable roles and where to catch them next. SUNDAY, MAY 8 PRO-SOCIAL STORYTELLING - PANEL In Attendance: Patrick Macmanus (“Girl from Plainville,” “Dr. Death”) and partner, Ioli Filmeridis With the utter fascination in true crime series only growing, it is important for us to remember that these characters are often people who are suffering from similar ailments and mental health issues that millions of Americans are suffering from every day. Join SeriesFest for a special conversation with Patrick Macmanus (“Girl from Plainville,” “Dr. Death”) and partner Ioli Filmeridis on the importance and impact of championing stories that raise awareness around social and mental health issues. INCUBATING AN IDEA ON SCREEN - SPECIAL EVENT SCREENING & PANEL In Attendance: Kesila Childers (Head of Development, Powderkeg), Erica Fishman (Head of Production, Powderkeg), Elle Roth-Brunet (EP, Head of Content & Entertainment Partnerships, Google), and directors Fawzia Mirza, Tedra WIlson, Nat Prisco, Ashley Eakin, and Jeanne Jo. Powderkeg: Fuse is a development incubator for directors that is curated and mentored by Paul Feig. A short film can be a powerful tool in pitching and selling longer form traditional storytelling; it is an opportunity to show tone, characters and preview a world. SeriesFest is pleased to showcase work from this year’s Powderkeg: Fuse. After the screening, the panel will discuss how filmmakers can be strategic when developing and producing shorts as a proof of concept. MONDAY, MAY 9 "101 PLACES TO PARTY BEFORE YOU DIE" (TRUTV) - WORLD EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK SCREENING AND PANEL Moderated by Michael Rucker (Showrunner/Executive Producer of “101 Places To Party Before You Die”) In Attendance: comedian co-hosts Adam Pally (Sonic 2, “Happy Endings”) and Jon Gabrus (Game Over, Man!, “Comedy Bang Bang”) Join us for an exclusive first look at truTV’s upcoming travel comedy series, “101 Places to Party Before You Die,” which follows accidental travel hosts Adam Pally and Jon Gabrus who are given a wife-sanctioned three-day weekend escape to venture across the U.S. to different destinations to experience everything they have to offer. The show’s co-hosts Adam Pally and Jon Gabrus along with showrunner and executive producer Michael Rucker, will join a post-screening conversation about the highly anticipated new series. LIVE READ OF MOUNT WILSON - SPECIAL EVENT Presented in partnership with Dilettante Productions and UnReal Media Directed by Amanda Berg Wilson Writers: Misty Brawner, Betsy Leighton, W.A.W. Parker, Rosanne Welch Starring: Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, “The Purge”), Tara Westwood (“The Grudge”), with more cast to be confirmed Join us for the first public read of Mount Wilson, a drama pilot which follows Edwin Hubble, a rising astronomer, as he navigates his own web of lies as he works to disprove the theories of some of the greatest minds of the 20th Century. Hubble finds an unlikely alliance in Milton Humason, a maintenance worker at the Mount Wilson Observatory, who may just hold the key to the secrets of the Universe. Mount Wilson was written in partnership with the SeriesFest Writers Room Initiative and produced by Dilettante Productions and Unreal Media. TUESDAY, MAY 10 COLORADO FILMMAKER WORKSHOP: RANDY RANDI - WORKSHOP Directors: Mitch Dickman, Tracy Shaffer Producers: Mitch Dickman, Britta Erickson Executive Producer: Benny Kaplan Writer: Benny Kaplan Cast: Benny Kaplan, Morgan Thomas, Andy Juett, Karen Slack, Ann Terrell, Austin Terrell, Hannah Duggan, Stewart Tucker Lundy, Conner Duffey, Josiah Peters, Brian Yormack A down on their luck inventor, is primed to get their life back together. This improvised comedy shows the journey from both male & female perspectives. Join us for a presentation and conversation of a work-in-progress pilot from a Colorado creator. After a screening of Randy Randi, the audience is invited to provide creative feedback and engage in a constructive dialogue with the show's creators to help them create a final edit. INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT SERIES: THURSDAY, MAY 5 AUDREY’S BACK - UNITED STATES PREMIERE CANADA Presented in partnership with CanneSeries Director: Guillaume Lonergan Producer: Marie-Ève Pelletier Executive Producers: Nicola Merola, Charles Lafortune, Sylvie Desrochers, Jacquelin Bouchard Writers: Guillaume Lambert, Florence Longpré Cast: Florence Longpré, Ellicyane Paradis, Josée Deschênes, Denis Bouchard, Martin-David Peters, Zeneb Blanchet, Dominic St-Laurent, Elliot Miville-Deschênes, Joanie Guérin, Charlie Lemay-Thivierge 30m (first 2 episodes together), Drama Festival Awards: CanneSeries Longform Competition - Best Series and Special Interpretation Award 17-year-old Audrey slips into a coma when she is found unconscious on the road of a small town, in the middle of the night. 16 years later, the impossible happens: she wakes up. Everything has changed around her, and her friends and family are no exception. She must relearn to live again in a time she no longer understands. SATURDAY, MAY 7 HARMONICA - WORLD PREMIERE SWEDEN Director: Josephine Bornebusch Producer: Sofia Palage Executive Producers: Sara Askelöf, Josephine Bornebusch, Johan Hedman, Jonas Karlsson, Fredrik Ljungberg, Camilla Rydbacken Writers: Josephine Bornebusch, Jonas Karlsson Cast: Jonas Karlsson, Josephine Bornebusch, Eric Ericson, Nina Zanjani, Jörgen Thorsson 2x20’, Drama 15 years ago, Harry and Monica lived a glamorous life with their band Harmonica. Now the marriage is coming to an end. When they're offered a new tour, Monica gives Harry an ultimatum. Tour or divorce. SUNDAY, MAY 8 THE ART DISPUTE - NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE THE NETHERLANDS Director: Hans Pool Producers: Maarten Kuit, Jeroen van den Idsert Cast: Erik Dijkstra 2x45’, Unscripted The Art Dispute takes a close look at eight art objects that were taken as loot or acquired under dubious circumstances. Where do treasures from the past rightly belong in the present? MONDAY, MAY 9 TRIGGER POINT - UNITED STATES PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM Directors: Gilles Bannier, Jennie Darnell Producer: Julia Stannard Executive Producers: Jed Mercurio, Mark Redhead, Jessica Sharkey, Jimmy Mulville Writer: Daniel Brierley Cast: Vicky McClure, Adrian Lester, Mark Stanley, Warren Brown, Cal MacAninch, Manjinder Virk 2x45’, Drama Trigger Point is a high octane thriller set in the world of bomb disposal during a terror campaign where death is only a heartbeat away. THE LESSON - UNITED STATES PREMIERE ISRAEL Presented in partnership with CanneSeries Director: Eitan Zur Producers: Yochanan Kredo, Eze Sakson, Guy Jacoel, Yossi Uzrad Writer: Deakla Keydar Editors: Yael Hersonski, Ido Mochrik Composer: Ran Bagno Cast: Doron Ben-David, Maya Landsman 6x40’’, Drama Festival Awards: CanneSeries Longform Competition - Best Series and Best Performance for co-lead Maya Landsman. A student confronts her teacher, dividing the community. A social war has begun… TUESDAY, MAY 10 THE THIEF, HIS WIFE, AND THE WIFE CANOE - UNITED STATES PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM Director: Richard Laxton Producer: Alison Sterling Executive Producer: David Nath Writer: Chris Lang Cast: Monica Dolan, Eddie Marsan, Mark Stanley, Dominic Applewhite 97m, Drama Renowned actors, Monica Dolan and Eddie Marsan, will play Anne and John Darwin in this extraordinary and compelling drama. ABOUT SERIESFEST SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to championing artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. With year-round educational programs, initiatives supporting underserved voices, and professional development opportunities, SeriesFest inspires, educates, and connects a worldwide community of creators. Every year, SeriesFest culminates in a highly curated and celebrated Denver-based festival and marketplace. Dedicated to showcasing innovative episodic content, the annual festival also includes a musical performance and network screening at the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in-competition independent pilot screenings, panels, workshops, live reads, parties, and network television premieres. Follow @seriesfest on Twitter SeriesFest: Season 8 is presented with generous support from the following sponsors: Liberty Global, Once Upon a Time, Brownstein Farber Hyatt Scheck, Denver Film, Xfinity, Visible, Royal Bank of Canada, UnReal Media, Dilettante Productions, Caz Matthews Fund, and Oklahoma Office of Film and Music. Please sign up to our newsletter on www.seriesfest.com or follow us on social media to receive the most up-to-date information!’
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2024
|
RSS Feed
|
© 2012-2024, Nerds That Geek LLC.
All Rights Reserved. |
uWeb Hosting by FatCow