ATX Television Festival

The numerous festivals held in and around Austin do not typically entail television. However, June 1 and 2 will be dedicated to the medium, recognizing hit shows, never-picked-up pilots and cancelled favorites. Taking place at a number of hip spots around downtown Austin, the ATX Television Festival invites locals and out-of-towners to celebrate T.V. in all its glory.

Teaming up with the USA Network, the ATX Television Festival will screen original series such as Suits and Royal Pains at the State Theatre on June 1, the opening night of the festival. The red carpet event will include guest appearances from USA Network’s cast and crew and an after-party will be hosted at the Stephen F. Continental Intercontinental Hotel that will include live music, food and drinks.

Panels, special events and screenings fill the weekend’s activities. Big names in television production will discuss topics such as Women on Television, Book to Series TV, and One Tree Hill Says Goodbye. Two Alamo Drafthouse locations, the Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel and the State Theatre will host screenings and events.

The festival’s co-founders, Caitlin MacFarland and Emily Gipson, are veteran television industry professionals who wanted to create an event that would celebrate the unsung “small screen.” Support for the festival came from across the country, mainly through Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform for creative endeavors. “There was obviously a want in the world for a way to celebrate TV in the same way music and film fans do. We’re just glad we weren’t the only ones that feel that way,” noted festival co-founder, Emily Gipson.

For more information, including badge pricing and scheduling, please visit the ATX Television Festival site.

(Photo credit: The Austin Chronicle)