In anticipation of the annual award-winning international television festival, SeriesFest 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:
- A screening of an episode of STARZ’s new limited series, “Gaslit,” followed by a Q&A panel with Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer Robbie Pickering (“Mr Robot,” “Search Party”). “Gaslit” is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.
- A world exclusive first look screening and panel of truTV’s “101 Places To Party Before You Die,” with showrunner/executive producer Michael Rucker and comedian co-hosts Adam Pally (Sonic 2, “Happy Endings”) and Jon Gabrus (Game Over, Man!, “Comedy Bang Bang”)
- “Behind The Scenes: Actors on the Other Side of the Camera” panel, presented in partnership with SAG-AFTRA, with 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”)
- “Pro-Social Storytelling” panel with Patrick Macmanus (“Dr. Death,” “The Girl from Plainville) and partner, Ioli Filmeridis
- “Changing The Narrative: Focus On Indigenous Representation In Television” panel, presented in partnership with Cherokee Nation Film Office and with support from Visit Denver, with Jennifer Loren (Film Office Director, Cherokee Nation Film Office), Stacey Rice (Casting Director), Sierra Teller Ornelas (Co-Creator, Rutherford Falls)
- A special live read of “Mount Wilson,” presented in partnership with Dilettante Productions and UnReal Media, starring Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, “The Purge”), Tara Westwood (“The Grudge”) with more cast to be confirmed
- A virtual reality screening of “Lustration,” during the festival, presented by New Canvas
- A special Xfinity in store meet and greet with autograph signings from SeriesFest's most exciting talent during the festival including Jim O'Heir ("Parks and Recreation," "Bless This Mess") and Denzel Whitaker (The Great Debaters, Black Panther).
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!
Please see below for a detailed list of additional scheduled events.
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
2×20’, 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
2×45’, 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
2×45’, 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
6×40’’, 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!
