Winners Announced at SeriesFest for Independent Pilot Competition

SeriesFest, the annual television event in Denver, recently concluded its tenth iteration with a bang, showcasing the talents of independent creators from around the world. The festival featured 45 pilots in competition, with some standout winners taking home awards for their innovative and captivating work.

Among the winners was Shazia Javed’s Potluck Ladies, which took home the drama award. The pilot follows the lives of three immigrant women living in the suburbs of Toronto, who find solace and support in their weekly potluck lunches. As their facades crumble, they must learn to be vulnerable and lean on each other for strength. The pilot, starring Natasha Krishnan, Elisa Moolecherry, and Kavita Musty, impressed the judges with its poignant storytelling and powerful performances.

On the comedy side, Jesse Toledano’s Broken Toilets stood out with its unique premise and engaging characters. The pilot follows Yossi Klein, a young Hassidic man who secretly loves hip hop, as he navigates the challenges of managing his father-in-law’s buildings in a low-income neighborhood of NYC. With the help of two aspiring hip hop artists, Yossi embarks on a musical journey that challenges his beliefs and identity. The pilot, starring Luzer Twersky and Dede Lovelace, charmed audiences with its humor and heartwarming story.

Other winners at SeriesFest included Breakthrough, a documentary series exploring the struggles of athletes with identity crises and depression, and The Haunting of Trisha Lozada, which won the Pitch-A-Thon competition. The festival also awarded the Neo-Dome ensemble for their outstanding performance and recognized The Boy Who Was Afraid of Everything with the audience award for comedy.

SeriesFest CEO and Co-Founder Randi Kleiner praised the winners for embodying the spirit of the festival and showcasing the future of television. With a platform dedicated to championing independent artists and amplifying their voices, SeriesFest continues to be a vital outlet for emerging creators to share their projects with industry professionals and audiences alike. The success of this year’s winners is a testament to the festival’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the next generation of television talent.