The parent company of New York’s Tribeca Film Festival is giving TV its own show. Tribeca Enterprises said Wednesday it will launch the stand-alone Tribeca TV Festival this fall.
The three-day event will showcase episodic storytelling from TV, online and virtual reality. It promises an advance look at brand-new series and fan-favorite programs as well as the chance to hear from their creators and stars.
Tribeca says it’s the first dedicated TV festival to be created by an established film festival.
The new TV festival will take place Sept. 22-24.
Scheduled highlights include a conversation with “Will & Grace” stars Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally along with show creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan ahead of this fall’s NBC reboot. There will be a sneak peek of a future episode of the FX comedy “Better Things,” followed by a conversation with star Pamela Adlon speaking with co-creator Louis C.K., and the series premiere of ABC’s mystery thriller “Ten Days in the Valley,” followed by a conversation with Kyra Sedgwick, its star and executive producer.
“Ten years ago we wouldn’t have needed a TV festival. Now, with the change in the TV landscape, both the quality and quantity of shows, it makes sense,” said Robert De Niro, co-founder of Tribeca. Last year, Tribeca launched an official section of its film festival dedicated to TV programming.
The programming slate for the Tribeca TV Festival is as follows:
At Home with Amy Sedaris (truTV) – Series Premiere – World Premiere
Strangers with Candy, BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Amy Sedaris is one of the great comic performers of our day. But did you know she is also a superlative homemaker and entertainer of guests? In this comedy series, a long-gestating passion project for its star, Amy will show off her diverse but necessary homemaking skills, which range from creating popsicle stick buddies and gutting a fish, to making raisin necklaces and entertaining businessmen.
After the world premiere of their new series, Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello will joined by moderator Andy Cohen to discuss the creation of this truly one-of-a-kind project, how they’ve partnered together through the years and how Amy maintains her unique vision across mediums of film, TV, print, publishing, and live performance.
Event time: September 22 at 8:15pm
Better Things (FX) – Special Sneak Peek
Emmy® winner and New York City native Pamela Adlon is the creative mind behind breakout hit Better Things, in which she also stars as working actor and single mom-of-three Sam. Consistently hilarious, but always grounded, Better Things is a truly refreshing take on the tried-and-true family sitcom, with Adlon’s signature all over it (in addition to writing and starring duties, Adlon also directs every episode). In the midst of launching Season 2, and in the wake of her Best Actress Emmy nomination, Adlon will be joined by her co-creator Louis C.K. for an only-at-Tribeca conversation about her funny, bawdy, bittersweet brainchild, including the world premiere of Better Things’ upcoming episode Robin.
Event time: September 22 at 6pm
Designated Survivor (ABC) – Season 2 Premiere – World Premiere
Kiefer Sutherland stars as Tom Kirkman, a lower-level cabinet member who is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack on the US Capitol, on ABC’s hit drama Designated Survivor. In the second season of the dramatic thriller, President Kirkman is a year into his presidency and continuing to navigate the volatile – and sometimes dangerous world of Washington politics – while continuing the search for Patrick Lloyd, the mastermind behind one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.
After the screening we will be joined by stars Maggie Q, Kal Penn, and Italia Ricci for an exclusive conversation about the new season of this propulsive political thriller.
Event time: September 24 at 6pm
Gotham (FOX) – Special Sneak Peek
Revealing an entirely new chapter in the rise of the great DC Super-Villains, Gotham follows one cop as he navigates a dangerously corrupt city, and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular superheroes of our time. Season Four will witness the emergence of the criminal landscape Gotham City is best known for, with Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) at the forefront of the fight against the most depraved and unhinged villains. While Gotham City fights for normalcy, a new hero will rise, as Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) begins to assume responsibility for the city’s well-being.
Executive producer Danny Cannon will be joined by several of the remarkable ensemble cast, including
Ben McKenzie, Robin Lord Taylor, Camren Bicondova, David Mazouz, Sean Pertwee, & Jessica Lucas. The panelists will offer a sneak peek at this new phase of New York’s best known alter-ego, as Gotham (the city) and Gotham (the show) both enter a new and exciting chapter. The conversation will also feature the world premiere of the show’s upcoming The Fear Reaper episode.
Event time: September 23 at 4pm
Liar (SundanceTV) – Series Premiere – International Premiere
After a seemingly innocent date between devoted teacher Laura (Joanne Froggatt) and renowned surgeon Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd), a series of volatile accusations threaten to capsize their lives. Secrets and lies slowly unravel in this tense and gripping psychological thriller, where everyone is lying in some way until the truth ultimately reveals itself. Creators Jack and Harry Williams, who have previously brought us crossover UK hits The Missing and Fleabag, now debut an intimate, twisting crime thriller where each new clue peels back another layer of these two complex characters.
After the premiere, the creators will be joined by star Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey) for a conversation about their six-episode shocker: how they use current events to create dramatic tension and approach the thriller from a distinctly character-driven POV and what we can expect next after episode one’s bombshell first date.
Event time: September 23 at 7:45pm
Look But With Love (Within) – VR Series – World Premiere
Pioneering virtual reality and augmented reality company Within brings us the original documentary series Look But With Love, from Academy Award-winning Tribeca alum Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, produced by SOC Films and Here Be Dragons. As the medium of VR continues to evolve, it has emerged as a perfect platform for episodic storytelling. Viewers are encouraged to revisit worlds that they would otherwise be unable to, developing a deeper understanding of story and place through the immersive technology. This 5-episode series follows the fearless and passionate citizens of Pakistan who are changing the socio-political landscape through brave and inspiring actions. From a group of women fighting terrorist insurgency with paramilitary training, to a woman teaching arts-deprived children to tell stories through dance, these subjects are remarkably introduced through moving live-action virtual reality rendered by a master documentarian.
Episode 1: A Story of Women and Episode 2: A Story of Dance of Look But With Love will be available to experience at no additional charge for ticket holders at the Festival. These experiences can be found on the 3rd floor of Cinépolis Chelsea.
Red Oaks (Amazon) – Season 3 Premiere – World Premiere
It’s the summer of ’87 and change is in the air at Red Oaks. David is chasing his dream to become a director in NYC. Wheeler and Misty have taken their relationship to the next level but face unforeseen obstacles. Getty is making lemonade of lemons in prison. Sam (Richard Kind) and Judy (Jennifer Grey) are finding new and unexplored passions in Jersey. Meanwhile, back at Red Oaks, Nash finds that the club’s future might in danger….
Executive Produced by independent film stalwarts Steven Soderbergh & David Gordon Green, Amazon’s nostalgic coming-of-age comedy returns for a third and final season of life lessons couched in summer shenanigans at Red Oaks country club. Following the premiere of Season 3, stars Paul Reiser, Craig Roberts & Alexandra Turshen will be joined by Creators Joe Gangemi & Gregory Jacobs to reflect on their delightful gem of a show, its deft balance of comedy, drama, and nostalgia, and what new and returning audiences can look forward to this season.
Event time: September 24 at 5:00pm
Queen Sugar (OWN) – Season 2 – Midseason Premiere
Executive Produced by Ava Duvernay, Oprah Winfrey and Monica Macer, Queen Sugar follows the Bordelon siblings as they struggle to move forward with their lives and strive to honor the legacy of their father following his unexpected passing. Directed by Julie Dash, Season 2’s midseason premiere finds Darla sharing engagement news with the family, Micah finally coming to terms with his emotions, and Charley receiving an unexpected visit.
Following the episode, the cast of Queen Sugar, Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Kofi Siriboe, will join us to discuss their acclaimed performances and rich characters, working with an all-female directing team, and maybe providing a few clues as to how Season 2 will end.
Event time: September 24 at 7:15pm
Ten Days in the Valley (ABC) – Series Premiere
Jane Sadler is an overworked television producer and single mother, in the middle of a fractious separation, whose life is turned upside down when her young daughter goes missing in the middle of the night. And just like her controversial police TV show, everything is a mystery, everyone has a secret and no one can be trusted.
Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick, riveting as the complex Jane, also executive produces this new character-driven thriller. She will be joined after the premiere of the series’ first two episodes by the rest of her all-female creative team, Creator Tassie Cameron and fellow Executive Producers Marcy Ross (President, Skydance TV) & Jill Littman, for an illuminating conversation about their smart and surprising take on the TV mystery-procedural.
Event time: September 24 at 3pm
Will & Grace (NBC) – Exclusive Special Conversation
In our era of ubiquitous remakes and reboots, is there any more anticipated reunion than the original cast of Will & Grace? A decade after their unforgettable eight-season run, Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally reprise their iconic roles as Will, Grace, Jack and Karen. On the eve of their new series launching September 28th, the fabulous foursome will be joined by co-creators/executive producers Max Mutchnick and David Kohan for an intimate, and sure-to-be hilarious conversation about what to expect from our favorite 2000s New Yorkers in 2017.
Event time: September 23 at 7pm
YouTube’s Creators for Change
YouTube Creators for Change is a global initiative that supports creators who are tackling social issues and promoting awareness, tolerance and empathy on their YouTube channels. Creators for Change ambassadors and fellows are using their voices and creativity to speak out against hate speech, xenophobia and extremism. In collaboration with YouTube, these creators are showing their fans and the world new perspectives and new ways to drive social change.
Event time: September 22 at 6:30pm
