The ATX Television Festival, a cornerstone event for television enthusiasts and industry professionals alike for over a decade, has unveiled the initial lineup for its groundbreaking Indie TV Pilot Competition and Showcase. This new initiative, a significant expansion of the festival’s commitment to championing independent storytelling, aims to provide a vital platform for emerging creators and their unreleased projects. Scheduled to take place from May 28-31, 2026, in Austin, Texas, the festival’s 15th anniversary year marks a pivotal moment in its evolution, solidifying its role as a key hub for the burgeoning independent television landscape.
For 14 years, the ATX Television Festival has been synonymous with celebrating the art of television, hosting exclusive premieres, insightful screenings, highly anticipated cast reunions, and in-depth panels that delve into the intricacies of the industry. This year, the festival broadens its scope by shining a spotlight on independent pilots that lack worldwide distribution, offering them a crucial pathway to industry visibility and potential distribution. The final round of selected scripted pilots will be presented as part of an exclusive Indie TV Showcase, culminating in the announcement of the "Best Indie TV Pilot – Scripted" award, determined by a distinguished panel of industry creatives and executives.
A New Frontier for Independent Television
The introduction of the Indie TV Pilot Competition and Showcase represents a strategic move by the ATX Television Festival to directly address the growing prevalence and importance of independently produced television series. This program is specifically designed to elevate pilots that have not yet secured global distribution, providing them with the essential industry exposure, distribution opportunities, and expert guidance needed to advance their careers and projects to the next level. The festival’s co-founders, Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson, emphasized the intentionality behind this new venture, stating in a release to IndieWire, "For the last few years, indie TV has been a hot topic both on and off our panels within the industry attendance at ATX TV Festival, and we’ve made intentional moves to highlight these shows, conversations, and creators alongside amazing traditionally-produced network and streaming TV."
They further articulated their vision: "With the launch of our Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase, we’re firmly planting a flag as the place to be for indie TV creators to get their pilots seen and move their work forward. We’re thrilled to launch the new Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase timed to our 15th anniversary alongside longtime ATX TV friends and TV mastermind Mark Duplass, whose support and vision is of immense value to us and our community. Our intention is for ATX TV Festival to become a robust marketplace for independent TV series in the coming years, and we can’t wait to kick it off in 2026."
Building Community and Marketplace Opportunities
Beyond the competition, the festival has curated a robust schedule of programming designed to foster community and create tangible marketplace opportunities for independently created series. A standout feature will be a featured conversation with the creative team behind "Everyone Is Doing Great," a coming-of-age comedy series that previously screened at the festival’s early editions. Set to debut on Netflix on May 11th, the series’ creators, writers, producers, directors, and stars Stephen Colletti and James Lafferty will return to Austin to reflect on their journey. Their discussion will trace the show’s path from self-financing and crowdfunding to its acquisition and distribution on major streaming platforms, offering invaluable insights into navigating the independent TV landscape over the past eight years.
James Lafferty shared his perspective in a statement, highlighting the festival’s significance: "Our journey from a crowdfunded first season to our second season premiering on Netflix, all started at ATX TV Festival. Returning to Austin as they kick off their inaugural independent TV competition feels like a full circle moment. We can’t wait to celebrate the promise of indie episodic storytelling and the TV fans who continue to make it all possible."
Exploring Diverse Storytelling Platforms
Further enriching the festival’s programming, "The PBS Process" panel will offer attendees an in-depth look at PBS as a powerful platform for diverse storytelling. This session will explore how PBS champions various formats and showcases local and regional narratives to a broad audience. Executives, creatives, and brand representatives passionate about cultural storytelling through television will share their perspectives on the multitude of pathways available to bring independent shows to fruition. Confirmed panelists include Luis Patino (President & CEO, Austin PBS), Sara Robertson (Chief Operating Officer, Austin PBS), Bethiael Alemayoh (Director of Content & Distribution, Austin PBS), Tyler Coe (Creator/Director, "How Are We Today?"), Meghan Ross (Co-Creator/Director/Producer, "How We Grieve"), Emily Bolf (Producer, "Austin City Limits"), and Melissa Reese (Executive Producer, "Texas Monthly Presents: The Story").
Industry Support and Mentorship
The festival’s commitment to the independent sector is further bolstered by the involvement of industry veterans. Mark Duplass, a prominent figure in independent film and television, who previously presented his independent series "The Long Long Night" at the ATX TV Festival in 2025, is serving as a Strategic Advisor, alongside Duplass Brothers Productions. Emily Best, founder of Seed&Spark, a creative crowdfunding platform instrumental in the release of "The Long Long Night," is also lending her support to the program.
This strategic advisory and support network underscores the festival’s dedication to nurturing the independent TV ecosystem. The Indie TV Pilot Competition and Showcase joins the ATX TV Festival’s existing Pitch Competition & Mentorship Program, which provides emerging TV writers with essential community, support, and tools to advance their careers.
The Rise of Independent Series
The ATX TV Festival’s emphasis on independent television is timely, reflecting a broader trend in the industry where independent series are increasingly gaining traction and finding distribution on major platforms. In recent years, several independent productions have premiered at prestigious festivals, leveraging these platforms to secure distribution deals. Examples include the Duplass-backed "Penelope," which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival before being acquired by Netflix, and Cooper Raiff’s "Hal & Harper," which debuted at Sundance in 2025 and subsequently streamed on MUBI. Other notable independent series that have found success include Showtime’s "Work in Progress," FX’s "Mr. Inbetween," Starz’s "America to Me," and Netflix’s "The Night Logan Woke Up."
ATX TV Festival has actively cultivated this space, showcasing independent productions such as "The Long Long Night," "You Belong Here" (from Steve Zahn’s Macaroni Art), "Bollywood Dance U" (from Meralta Films and Amplify Pictures), and "Everyone Is Doing Great" (from James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti) through screenings and conversations in recent years. The Indie TV Pilot Competition and Showcase, accessible via FilmFreeway, represents the latest addition to the festival’s suite of open submission opportunities.
Featured Pilots and Their Stories
The 2026 ATX TV Festival will feature a curated selection of independently produced pilots, representing a diverse range of genres and narratives. The following scripted pilots have advanced to the final round of the competition:
"The Ladies"
- Written & Directed by: Juliana Piscina
- Produced by: Cailin Lobb-Rabe, Gillian Mahar
- Cast: Jessica Toltzis, Caroline Hedrick, Gia Blakey
- Synopsis: Tracy, a former high school basketball star, returns to coach at her alma mater. Facing a program that has fallen from its former glory, Tracy, alongside her small but spirited team comprised of Emma and Rita, must rally to restore the program’s reputation – or at least secure a victory.
"Savage"
- Written by: Connor Paolo
- Directed by: Josh Bowman
- Produced by: Nicholas Logan, Brittany Fallow, Bridget Regan
- Cast: Bridget Regan, Connor Paolo, Barbara Crampton, JR Bourne, Zach Roerig, Nicholas Logan, Dylan Sprayberry
- Synopsis: A desperate mother and private investigator, driven by the need to fund her daughter’s cancer treatment, takes on a missing persons case. The investigation leads her to a remote swamp where an ancient and terrifying presence lurks beneath the surface of deception.
"Freelance"
- Written by: Julien Turner
- Directed by: Julien Turner & Justen Turner
- Produced by: Cynthia Turner, Stephen “Dr” Love
- Cast: Spence Moore II, Bernard Clark, Lou Young, René Vaca, Lou Ratchett, Kevin Fredericks, Christiani Porter, Elijah Cooper, Mel Mitchell, Kyle Flood
- Synopsis: This series follows a group of broke, zillennial post-grad "creatives" who are relentlessly pursuing their dreams, navigating a series of chaotic gig jobs together, one disaster at a time.
In addition to the scripted entries, the festival will also recognize an unscripted series with the "Best Indie TV Pilot – Unscripted" award:
"It’s Not You, It’s Me: Chicago"
- Created by: Anthony L. Williams
- Directed by: Anthony L. Williams
- Written by: Anthony L. Williams, Taylor D. Adams, Brian Kowalski, Dr. Darnell Motley, Dr. Monica O’Neal, Spencer Paez
- Produced by: Anthony L Williams, Dr. Darnell Motley, Dr. Monica O’Neal, Spencer Paez, Brian Kowalski
- Cast: Prem Pahwa
- Synopsis: Three bachelors re-enter the dating scene in Chicago, some for the first time and others hoping for their last. With expert guidance on healthy relationships, sex, and vulnerability, the series delves into the unique experiences of modern queer dating. As the bachelors navigate personal growth through individual and group therapy sessions, they gain tools to unpack past baggage and trauma, aiming to build healthier new relationships.
The ATX TV Festival Season 15, running from May 28-31, 2026, promises to be a landmark event, solidifying its position as a crucial incubator and marketplace for the future of independent television. By championing these unrepresented voices and providing them with direct access to industry power players, the festival is not just celebrating television; it is actively shaping its future.
