Get Ready for the ATX Television Festival This Weekend

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ATX Television FestivalBy BethAnn Harper

It’s no secret that the film scene in Austin has taken off over the last couple of years. We are home to many interesting film festivals such as SXSW, Austin Film Festival, Fantastic Fest and Cine Las Americas. Starting this weekend, we will also be home to something a little different: the first annual ATX Television Festival. For those interested in a career in television -- or those who just love watching it -- this is the festival for you. Meet writers, creators, showrunners, directors, music supervisors and many other people that help make TV great. 

As someone who has been avidly watching TV since I was young, I am thrilled that Austin has decided to start this festival. The event I am particularly looking forward to is Saturday’s “Bill Lawrence and Friends,” which includes Bill Lawrence (creator of Cougar Town and Spin City) as well as Scrubs scribe (and Cougar Town co-creator) Kevin Biegel. Other panelists include Cougar Town cast members Ian Gomez and Brian Van Holt, as well as Neil Flynn, who played the Janitor on Scrubs.

Another event that is not to be missed is the “Come for the Laughs: The New Girl, The League, Archer” screening on Saturday at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. The screening will consist of an episode from each show, as well as three special guests that always keep me laughing: Archer's Judy Greer and The League's Nick Kroll and Paul Scheer. This screening definitely promises a few chuckles as well as some insight into how their experiences have been in the world of TV.

The main event, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening in the parking lot of Hotel San Jose, will consist of an outdoor screening of the Friday Night Lights pilot episode and series finale. There will be an abundance of the show's cast and crew at the free screening, as well as plenty of live music. 

The festival will close with a live music showcase on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The closeout event -- which features artists like Landon Pigg, Teddy Geiger and Tigerbone -- will be held on the second floor of the Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel. It's free and open to the general public, so there's really no reason not to go.

BethAnn Harper is an apprentice at the Austin Film Society.