SERIESFEST ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS, SCREENINGS AND PANELS
COMPLETING THE SEASON FIVE SLATE FOR JUNE 21-26
World Premiere of NBC’s “Bluff City Law” Starring Jimmy Smits
Added to This Year’s Compelling Line-Up
International Spotlight in Partnership with Liberty Global to Feature Original Series From Around the World; Executive Panel with Leaders from All3Media International and Globo TV International
Inaugural ‘International Innovator’ Award Presented to ‘Fundamental’ Creator, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Global Fund for Women
Denver, Colorado, June 5, 2019 — SeriesFest today unveiled new premieres, screenings, and panel to its previously announced lineup as well as details regarding its annual International Spotlight in partnership with Liberty Global. Additions include the world premiere of NBC’s Bluff City Law, with cast in attendance including Jimmy Smits (Dexter, NYPD Blue), Caitlin McGee (I’m Dying Up Here), Barry Sloane (Revenge), Michael Luwoye (‘Hamilton’ on Broadway, The Gifted), MaameYaa Boafo (Chicago Med), Stony Blyden (Edge of Seventeen) and Jayne Atkinson (House of Cards); as well as a collection thrilling original virtual reality events. The fifth annual international television festival takes place June 21-26 in Denver, CO.
In partnership with Liberty Global, SeriesFest continues to celebrate storytellers from across the world with an International Spotlight, featuring six original works from Germany, the UK, Brazil and Pakistan which will make their US or world debut during the festival. A curated panel, “Think Global: Series Beyond the US,” comprised of Louise Pedersen, CEO, all3media international; Gustavo Gontijo, Content Development Manager, Globo TV International; and Rafael Parente, executive producer and showrunner of 8 DAYS will elevate the conversation around the global television landscape and trends. Additionally, Liberty Global and SeriesFest will present the inaugural ‘International Innovator’ award to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, creator of Fundamental, alongside Global Fund for Women. A lively discussion with Global Fund for Women and the Biennial of Americas will follow a screening of Obaid-Chinoy’s film series, focused on “Women’s Rights. No Exception.”
“At Global Fund for Women, we believe that standing in solidarity with those on frontlines is the best way to achieve change. We are thrilled to receive this award because it recognizes that those closest to the issues have the best ideas for solutions. Thank you for helping us amplify the voices and actions of women and girls in these films,” Musimbi Kanyoro, President and CEO of Global Fund for Women.
“We’re excited to share these extraordinary international series with the SeriesFest community,” commented Randi Kleiner, Founder & CEO, SeriesFest. “This selection of contemporary series expresses original ideas and demands the audience to see episodic storytelling in a different light. To elevate the International Spotlight section at the 5th edition of this festival, we are including a panel conversation with international delegates to discuss market trends and the global landscape of series."
Bob Leighton, SVP, Programming, Liberty Global added, “Liberty Global naturally is particularly pleased to continue to help showcase outstanding tv series from around the globe, and to broaden the conversation to include the role of international creative and business players”
SeriesFest will also showcase three original, award-winning VR programs including a SYFY presentation of Eleven Eleven, Dreams of The Jaguar’s Daughter and The Tide. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to experience these interactive stories throughout the six days.
NEW SCREENINGS & PANELS:
BLUFF CITY LAW (NBC; Premieres Fall 2019) - WORLD PREMIERE
Saturday, June 22 at 8:30pm
In Attendance: Cast, Jimmy Smits (Dexter, NYPD Blue), Caitlin McGee (I’m Dying Up Here), Barry Sloane (Revenge) , Michael Luwoye (‘Hamilton’ on Broadway, The Gifted), MaameYaa Boafo (Chicago Med), Stony Blyden (Edge of Seventeen) and Jayne Atkinson (House of Cards); Creator & EP, Dean Georgaris; EP, David Janollari
Lawyer Sydney Strait used to work at her father Elijah’s celebrated Memphis law firm until their tumultuous relationship got in the way. After barely speaking to him for years, Sydney is suddenly thrust back into the family business when he asks her to rejoin the firm.
THINK GLOBAL: SERIES BEYOND THE US - PANEL
Monday, June 24 at 2:45pm
Panelists: Louise Pedersen (CEO, all3media international), Gustavo Gontijo (Content Development Manager, Globo TV International), Rafael Parente (executive producer and showrunner of 8 DAYs), Kristian Kender (Managing Director, China Media Management)
International Television is booming and the traditional buy-and-sell model doesn’t apply to the series business anymore. How do these major distributors identify and analyze projects with broad international appeal from an early stage? Join global content and distribution companies to discuss the changing international series landscape and current trends. And what is the future of independent production on the global landscape?
INTERNATIONAL SERIES:
8 TAGE (8 DAYS)
Produced By: Neuesuper
World Sales: Sky Vision
Creators: Rafael Parente, Peter Kocyla
Directors: Stefan Ruzowitzky, Michael Krummenacher
Executive Producers: Rafael Parente, Simon Amberger, Korbinian Dufter, Frank Jastfelder (SKY), Marcus Ammon (SKY)
Writers: Rafael Parente, Peter Kocyla, Benjamin Seiler
Cast: Christiane Paul, Mark Waschke, Lena Klenke, Fabian Hinrichs, Nora Waldstätten, Devid Striesow, Henry Hübchen, Murathan Muslu
Germany, 88 minutes (first 2 episodes together)
Other Festival Awards & Selections: 2019 Berlinale Series (Germany) & 2019 Series Mania Panorama International (France)
A meteorite is on collision course with Earth. The chances to survive in Europe: Zero. The final 8 DAYS on Earth as we know it – told through the eyes of a normal family. The impending catastrophe leaves only one question: What's really important to you in your final days?
BACK TO LIFE
World Sales: All3Media International
Creator: Daisy Haggard
Directors: Christopher Sweeney
Executive Producers: Sarah Hammond, Jack Williams, Harry Williams
Writers: Daisy Haggard, Laura Solon
Cast: Daisy Haggard, Geraldine James, Jamie Michie, Souad Faress, Frank Feys, Jo Martin, Liam Williams, Adeel Akhtar
UK, 26:26 minutes
Other Festival Awards & Selections: Serie Series, France, 2019
When Miri Matteson returns home after eighteen years in prison, can she integrate back into her old life? With a terrible event from her past hanging over her, it won’t be easy.
IRON ISLAND
World Sales: Globo TV International
Creators: Max Mallmann and Adriana Lunardi
Directors: Afonso Poyart with Roberta Richard and Guga Sander
Producer: Ana Gabriela
Writers: Headwriter: Mauro Wilson with Braulio Mantonvani, Adriana Falcão, Jô Abdu, David Rauh and Rodrigo Salomão
Cast: Cauã Reymond, Maria Casadevall, Sophie Charlotte, Klebber Toledo
Brazil, 106:14 minutes
On an offshore oil rig the series showcases the duality of people who have their lives torn apart: wherever they are they feel incomplete. Dante the oil rig's production coordinator sees his life collapsing between the turmoil in the high seas and and family dilemmas on solid ground.
THE FEED
World Sales: All3Media International
Creator: Channing Powell
Director: Carl Tibbetts (The Woman in White, Black Mirror, Humans)
Executive Producers: Channing Powell (The Walking Dead), Sue Hogg (Three Girls) and Stephen Lambert (Huffington Post game changer, multiple award winner and fellow of the RTS)
Writer: Channing Powell, based on the books by Nick Clark Windo
Cast: David Thewlis, Michelle Fairley, Guy Burnet, Nina Toussaint-White
UK, Episode 1: 57:26, Episode 2: 54:44
Other Festival Awards & Selections: Cannes Series/MIPTV 2018
In the near-future, people are able to share information emotions and memories instantly thanks to The Feed. However when things start to go wrong and users of The Feed become murderous the inventor’s family members are quickly driven apart as they struggle to control the monster they have unleashed.
FUNDAMENTAL
Producers: Safyah Zafar Usmani, Julie Parker Benello, Catherine King, Abigail Disney, Maria Nunez, Susan Sherrerd, Patty Quillin, Lynda Weinman
Director: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Fundamental is a character-driven documentary anthology series presented in five 20-minute episodes. Each episode follows compelling women activists who are leading powerful movements for change, and gives viewers a window into the many ways rising threats to human rights shape the public and private lives of women, girls, and gender non-conforming people around the world. For SeriesFest as a special sneak preview to the full series two work-in-progress episodes will be screened, set in Brazil and Pakistan.
Episode: RACISM & PATRIARCHY: THE BATTLE FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN BRAZIL
16:46, Brazil
Other Festival Awards & Selections: Women Deliver Film Festival 2019 – Official Selection
Around the world, women’s rights are being attacked. The rights to safety, to marry when you want, to control your body and your sexuality—are all being rolled back as countries around the world experience a surge in nationalism, traditionalism, and fundamentalisms. Against this backdrop, resilient activists and movement leaders are developing strategies to fight back and are challenging the status quo (often at great personal risk.) In this anthology series we meet courageous women and the movements they lead.
Episode: RIGHTS OVER RITUAL: ENDING CHILD, EARLY, AND FORCED MARRIAGES IN PAKISTAN
16:32, Pakistan
In Pakistan where 21% of girls are married before the age of 18, child, early, and forced marriage is deeply connected with tradition, culture, customary practices, and economic realities. We meet Rukhshanda Naz, a dynamic human rights attorney and passionate advocate for ending child marriage, who shares how growing up with a mother who was a child bride informed her own experiences, and continues to fuel her activism and professional life today. We also meet a young woman named Zarmina, who escaped a forced marriage, as she shares her story and her hopes and dreams for other girls.
M - A City Hunts A Murderer
World Sales: Beta Film
Directors: David Schalko
Producers: A Superfilm production by John Lueftner and David Schalko for ORF and TV NOW
Writers: Evi Romen, David Schalko
Cast: Udo Kier, Moritz Bleibtreu, Lars Eidinger, Verena Altenberger
Austria, 46:30
Other Festival Awards & Selections: Berlin International Film Festival 2019, New Austrian Film Festival Moscow 2019, Romy Awards 2019 (won Best Cinematography TV-Fiction)
The contemporary reimagination of the all-time movie classic, Fritz Lang's 1931 thriller “M”, revolves around a series of child murders and how they impact the various layers of urban society.
Beecham House
World Sales: Freemantle
Directors: Gurinder Chadha
Producers: Gurinder Chadha, Shahrukh Husain & Paul Mayeda Berges
Writers: Gurinder Chadha, Paul Mayeda Berges, Shahrukh Husain & Victor Levin
Cast: Tom Bateman, Lesley Nicol, Gregory Fitoussi, Adil Ray, Pallavi Sharda, Dakota Blue Richards, Leo Suter, Bessie Carter, Viveik Kalra, Roshan Seth and Marc Warren.
United Kingdom, 60:00m
Other Festival Awards & Selections: Canneseries 'Out of Competition' 2019
Delhi 1795 – John Beecham a former soldier in the East India Company is determined to leave the past behind him and start a new life.
VIRTUAL REALITY:
Dreams of the Jaguar’s Daughter
Creator: Alfredo Salazar-Caro
Producer: Gregory Ketant, Samantha Quick, Tarek Turkey, Michaela Holland
Director: Alfredo Salazar-Caro
Writer: Genesis Mancheren Abaj, Alfredo Salazar-Caro
Cast: Toni Cruz as Achik (Voice Over)
US/Mexico; 8 minutes
Other Festival Awards & Selections: Tribeca Film Festival, Doc Aviv, GIFF (Guanajuato, MX)
Dreams Of The Jaguar's Daughter is a surreal VR documentary where Achik', the spirit of a young Maya immigrant, guides the viewer through her dreams and memories of an arduous journey north.
SYFY Presents Eleven Eleven
Creators: Mehrad Noori, Michael Salmon, Lucas Taylor
Producers: Mehrad Noori, Steve Patscheck, Jeremy Airey, Michael Salmon, Steve Gazda, Jaime Bencia
Writer: Lucas Taylor
Cast: Paul-Mikél Williams, Enuka Okuma, Francesca Manzi, James Mathis III, Minea Noji, Chris Tergliafera, Necar Zadegan
USA/UK; 90+ mm
Other Festival Awards & Selections: SXSW 2019
Follow six characters in the final 11 minutes and 11 seconds before all life is extinguished on the island planet of Kairos Linea. Their only guarantee for survival is a ship that will launch as the clock hits zero, taking those aboard to a floating ark in the sky.
The Tide
Creator: YOO Tae-kyung
Producers: KIM Yong-hwa, KIM Wook, Linda CHOI
Directors: YOO Tae-kyung
Writer: YOO Tae-kyung(Original Story: Web comics [TIDE] by JO Seok)
South Korea; 17 minutes
Other Festival Awards & Selections: 2019 Sundance Film Festival
Dozens of unknown giant fish appear on the beach, in the midst of the worst drought ever. Now water becomes the most precious ever at the same time the most fearful for humans. A disaster thriller about a new survival battle: human vs. fish.
The above events join the previously announced roster of special events including the premiere screening and Q&A of the STARZ supernatural spy thriller The Rook on Opening Night; “Innovation Talks” with Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and Liberty Global’s Mike Fries, All3Media’s Jane Turton and NPR’s Elvis Mitchell; Red Rocks Amphitheatre debut by legendary Stevie Wonder; the world premiere of WE tv’s original documentary, Power, Influence and Hip-Hop: The Remarkable Rise of So So Def with hip hop mogul Jermaine Dupri.
SeriesFest: Season 5 is presented with generous support from sponsors including Denver Film, Liberty Global, Once Upon a Time Productions, Xfinity, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Fries Foundation, Coca-Cola, i-Heart Media, JEEP and Fullscreen.
ABOUT SERIESFEST
SeriesFest (www.seriesfest.com) 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. Each June, 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
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