The Denver-based TV festival SeriesFest unveiled the winners of their eighth edition on May 10. Esteemed jurors (including our own Dino-Ray Ramos) screened 56 pilots from creative voices around the globe at this year’s celebration of episodic storytelling, and selected winners in various categories including “Best Independent Pilot, “Best Digital Short Series,” “Late Night,” “Audience Award” and “Pitch-A-Thon.” See full list below including honorable mentions.
“The independent pilot competitions are at the heart of our mission. It is why we founded SeriesFest,” commented Randi Kleiner, CEO and Co-Founder of SeriesFest. “It was to be a discovery platform for independent artists and give them the opportunity to get their voices heard and their projects seen by an audience and executives. Anyone who has made a pilot, especially during a pandemic, deserves to be honored.”
At the awards ceremony, SeriesFest also announced the winners for two prestigious initiatives including the Level Forward Impact Award and Caz Matthews Fund. The Level Forward Impact Award, given to the episodic pilot and team who demonstrate, on top of their commitment to creative excellence, a thoughtful, thorough and deliberate approach to using storytelling as a means of leveling the playing field for underrepresented people including women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA and alternatively abled voices, was awarded to Jordan by Ebony Blanding. Supported by the Royal Bank of Canada, Ebony Blanding will receive a $5,000 cash prize and development deal with Level Forward. “Jordan” is the story when a tween mermaid enthusiast discovers an ailing water creature, she uses a magical wish to change the fate of their existence…and her own.
Caz Matthews, a Colorado-based supporter of SeriesFest and of the independent creators of television content who show their projects at the annual SeriesFest, awarded five official selections from the Independent Pilot, Digital Short Series, and Late Night competitions including Brownsville Bred, We’re Doing Good, Chiqui, Muslim Girls: DTF, and Dot with a one-time financial donation from the Caz Matthews Fund subject to affording a producer credit to SeriesFest for that particular work.
These recipients represent the independent filmmakers who have important stories to tell and have the desire to both create work as well as find distribution opportunities that further promote tolerance, acceptance and understanding of all cultures and persons in the general population. Caz is of the belief that these producers, directors, actors, directors, screenwriters, etc. are generally underfunded and/or encounter more challenges in securing financing to get their work made and distributed.
Additionally, SeriesFest announced three finalists for its Spotlight Your Town initiative partnered with National Geographic and Visible which aims to empower independent creators to use their art form to spotlight the timely political and social justice issues happening in their hometowns. “Spotlight Your Town” supports an inclusive group of unscripted storytellers creating authentic, community-driven stories that embody the breadth and diversity of the people and places they represent.
The finalists, revealed at SeriesFest Season 8 Red Rocks Centerpiece on Sunday, May 8, will take part in a workshop to help finesse their pitch, have an official pitch and interview with an esteemed jury to get further acquainted with the creators. The winning artist(s) will receive a $20,000 grant to be applied to their production as well as an opportunity to pitch to National Geographic Documentary Films and unscripted teams, as well as receive a six-month mentorship with Steve James. Additionally, a $10,000 grant will be awarded to a nonprofit organization that aligns with the cause of the winning artists’ concept Finalists Include: South Shore Drill Team by Carlos Javier Ortiz (Chicago); Southmont Drive by Ashley O’Shay (Chicago); Revolutionary Hearts by A.K. Sandhu (Oakland, CA).
Read the full list of winners below.
WINNERS – INDEPENDENT PILOT – DRAMA
Jury: Mikael Moore (Managing Partner, Wondaland) and C. Brett Marottoli (Head of Program Acquisitions, Starz), Liam Matthews (Writer, TV Guide)
Best Pilot: Awayy
Writers/Directors: Aqsa Altaf, John X. Carey
Executive Producer: Jeff Taylor
Producers: Aqsa Altaf, John X. Carey, Amina Nada
Cast: Annelise Cepero, Denny Love
Description On the eve of a small-town waitress moving to New York City, a solar flare disrupts her plans. A proof of concept for a longer story. Watch the trailer.
Jury Statement: “Awayy is a gorgeous sci-fi exploration of fate that’s grounded in reality. With an impeccable lead performance by Annelise Cepero and an impactful story that leaves you wanting more, Awayy is bound for greatness.”
Best Pilot, Honorable Mention: 5150
Best Director: Carlos Cardona, Chiqui
Best Writer: Andrea Metz, How Not To Be A Junkie
Best Performance: Brigitte Silva, Chiqui
Best International Drama: Hacked
WINNERS – INDEPENDENT PILOT – COMEDY
Jury: Jim O’Heir (Actor), Angie Han (TV Critic, The Hollywood Reporter), Alec Ring (Manager, Cinetic Media)
Best Pilot: Mt. Mystic Rangers
Creator/Director: Jeremiah Dunlap
Executive Producers: Jeremiah Dunlap, Mindy Lopez Dunlap, Seth Dunlap, Cory Quintard
Producers: Jeremiah Dunlap, Mindy Lopez Dunlap, Seth Dunlap, Cory Quintard, Robyn Quintard, Beta Angarole, John David Harris
Cast: Jeremiah Dunlap, Cory Quintard, Joshua Black, Tenea Intriago, Moiba Mustapha, Robyn Quintard, Beta Angarole, Sally Harvey Anderson, Silva Riganelli, Martin Visser, Haven Greene, Mindy Lopez Dunlap, Jasper D. Platt
A mockumentary series that follows a unit of misfit Park Rangers who watch over the unpredictable and often mysterious Mt. Mystic State Park. Watch the trailer.
Jury Statement: “This pilot was smart and truly laugh-out-loud funny. There is so much room for this comedy that we are excited to watch seasons 4, 5, and 6. We quickly understood the premise and the tone presented by a wonderful ensemble.”
Best Director: Kourtney Bell, Camp Greenwood
Best Writer: Aizzah Fatima, Atheer Yacoub, Negin Farsad, Rokhsane Zadeh and Zainab Johnson, Muslim Girls: DTF
Best Performance: Melanie Mahanna, Camp Greenwood
Best International Comedy: Tasteless
WINNER – INDEPENDENT PILOT – UNSCRIPTED
Jury: Travis Tammero (Independent FIlm Group Agent, UTA), Britta Erickson (Producer, Listen Productions) and Stephanie Rance (Deputy Director, Youth on Record)
Best Pilot: Cycles
Directors/Writers/Producers: Mari Kussman, Mitchell Hart
Executive Producers: Trevite Willis, Jared P. Scott
Cast: Eiji Nakatsu, Osamu Nakamura, Terumi Azuma, Sonoe Fujii, Daisuke Ishizu
“Cycles” is a journey around the world to uncover everyday activists leading a quiet fight against the economic growth that is destroying the planet.
Jury Statement: “Beautifully shot, Cycles takes viewers on a journey of the quiet bite of everyday activists searching for ways to live in sync with nature.”
Best Director: Cameron Yates, Quitting Time
WINNERS – DIGITAL SHORTS SERIES (DRAMA, COMEDY)
Jury: Dino-Ray Ramos (Founder and Editor in Chief of Diaspora), Geneva Wasserman (EVP, Head of Scripted Development & Production, Dentsu-Story Lab), Elle Roth-Brunet (Executive Producer, Head of Content & Entertainment Partnerships at Google) and Milan Chakraborty (Producer, Head of Film Marginal MediaWorks)
Best Drama Pilot: Hello (Again)
Director: Melanie Chung
Executive Producers: Simu Liu, Nathalie Younglai, Teresa M. Ho, Alex Mallari Jr.
Producer: Teresa M. Ho
Writers: Simu Liu, Nathalie Younglai, Lief Ramsaran, Leonard Chan
Cast: Alex Mallari Jr., Rong Fu, Araya Mengesha, Grace Armas, Rebecca Chan, Fuad Ahmed, Larry Vang
Boy meets girl. Boy gets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy meets creepy, mischievous, mysterious child. She gives him a second chance at love… by sending him back in time. Again and again and again. Watch the trailer.
Jury Statement: “Hello (Again) is as painful as it is joyful, as devastating as it is inspirational. It’s exploration of love, relationships, family, and second chances within the framework of time travel is vibrant and emotional.”
Best Comedy Pilot: American Dreamers: The Other Hemsworth
Director/Writer: Greg Ash
Producers: Greg Ash, Jaime Rae Kasztelan
Cast: Greg Ash, Sasha Feldman
The untold story of Chip Hemsworth – Hollywood actor, Thor impersonator, and the youngest of the four Hemsworth brothers. Watch the trailer.
Jury Statement: “We were hooked on The Other Hemsworth within the first minute. Greg Ash’s
hysterical performance as Chip Hemsworth is a highly entertaining and promising start to this
anthology of dreamers trying to make it in America.”
Best Comedy Pilot, Honorable Mention: Where Are You Going?
Best Director: Erich Rettstadt, Tank Fairy
Best Writer: Stef Smith, Float
Best Performance: Emily Pendergast, We’re Doing Good
Best International Digital Short: Tank Fairy
WINNER – LATE NIGHT
Jury: Steve Greene (Associate TV Editor, IndieWire), David Griffin (TV Editor, IGN) and Tara Westwood (Actor/Director)
Best Pilot: Olympus: A Retrospective
Director/Executive Producer/Writer: Will Jacobs
Producers: Will Jacobs, Matt Antonucci
Cast: Will Jacobs, Corin Wells, Matthew Edward Matney, Ashley Glicken, Louis Kornfeld, David Dotterer
Olympus: A Retrospective is a comedic docu-series that tells the behind-the-scenes story of the 70s Sci-fi TV sensation “The Olympus Chronicles” Watch the trailer.
Jury Statement: Olympus A Retrospective:”‘Olympus: A Retrospective’ proves that some of the best storytelling comes from being as specific as possible, especially when that means quadrupling down on the oddities of ’70s-era British TV sci-fi. With impeccable comic timing, a loving attention to visual detail, and a few well-placed ninjas, this is a densely layered faux-documentary delight that we’re excited to get the chance to see more of in the near future.”
Best Pilot, Honorable Mention: Feel Better and The Whippersnappers
WINNER – PITCH-A-THON
In partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada, UnReal Media, Dilettante Productions, Working Artists Group.
Jury: Lu Law (Producer, Founder) Dilettante Productions) , Jon Vandergriff, (Writer) Aaliyah Williams (Producer, Founder, Just a Rebel Productions).
Best Pilot: Grave Affairs
Writer: Harold Abrams
A disgraced funeral planner returns home to redeem her tarnished reputation and reclaim her dominance in the serious and sometimes funny death business.
Jury Statement: “The jury loved all the very specific worlds that each of the contestants brought to the competition, but the possibilities of the dark comedy world of “Grave Affairs” was particularly appealing to us. The quirky behind-the-scenes look at a black mortuary as seen from the point of view of a middle-aged woman trying to reconstruct a satisfying life? Yes, please!”
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS – INDEPENDENT PILOT (COMEDY, LATE NIGHT, UNSCRIPTED, DRAMA, DIGITAL SHORTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Best Comedy Pilot: Mt. Mystic Rangers
Creator/Director: Jeremiah Dunlap
Executive Producers: Jeremiah Dunlap, Mindy Lopez Dunlap, Seth Dunlap, Cory Quintard
Producers: Jeremiah Dunlap, Mindy Lopez Dunlap, Seth Dunlap, Cory Quintard, Robyn Quintard, Beta Angarole, John David Harris
Cast: Jeremiah Dunlap, Cory Quintard, Joshua Black, Tenea Intriago, Moiba Mustapha, Robyn Quintard, Beta Angarole, Sally Harvey Anderson, Silva Riganelli, Martin Visser, Haven Greene, Mindy Lopez Dunlap, Jasper D. Platt
A mockumentary series that follows a unit of misfit Park Rangers who watch over the unpredictable and often mysterious Mt. Mystic State Park. Watch the trailer.
Best Late Night Pilot: Syd & Mike
Directors: Carl Conway Maguire, Ryan Scafuro
Writers: Sydney Davis, Mike Holt, Carl Conway Maguire, Alex Hacker
Executive Producer: Steve Pink
Producers: Ryan Scafuro, Lizz Astor, Sasha Nonas-Barnes
Cast: Sydney Davis, Mike Holt
From executive producer Steve Pink, meet Syd & Mike, an offbeat pair of millennial buds, whose altered visions of reality come to life in this series of comedic shorts as they encounter kooky misfits and far-out circumstances that only their friendship can handle. Watch the trailer.
Best Unscripted Pilot: Cycles
Directors/Writers/Producers: Mari Kussman, Mitchell Hart
Executive Producers: Trevite Willis, Jared P. Scott
Cast: Eiji Nakatsu, Osamu Nakamura, Terumi Azuma, Sonoe Fujii, Daisuke Ishizu
“Cycles” is a journey around the world to uncover everyday activists leading a quiet fight against the economic growth that is destroying the planet.
Best Drama Pilot: 5150
Director: Denzel Whitaker
Executive Producers: David Oyelowo, Ramfis Myrthil, James Cole
Writers: Denzel Whitaker, John Trefry
Producer: John Trefry
Cast: Jovan Adepo, Raquel Antonia, Douglas Weston, Angela E. Gibbs
5150 delves into the downfall of a world-famous black celebrity, well known for his political
statements and increasingly for his erratic behavior. Watch the trailer.
Best Digital Shorts Pilot: Hotter Up Close
Director: Leland Montgomery
Writer: Christopher Matias Aguila
Producer: Carolyn Manetti
Cast: Christopher Matias Aguila, Liz Jenkins, Francisco San Martin, John David Williams, Luke Millington-Drake, Mick Torres, Mike Abbate, Jay Renshaw, Devon Drew, Elijah Olachea, Alice Victoria Winslow
On the eve of his 30th birthday, a gay slacker must overcome his crippling insecurities in order to find love. Watch the trailer.
Best International Spotlight: The Art Dispute and Audrey’s Back
The Art of Dispute
Director: Hans Pool
Producers: Maarten Kuit, Jeroen van den Idsert
Cast: Erik Dijkstra
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?
Audrey’s Back
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
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.
