2023 SeriesFest Makes Waves

SAG-AFTRA has been a part of the SeriesFest lineup since Season One, before the world had any idea of the future impact this festival would have on the landscape of television. For those of you who may not know, SeriesFest is a festival where television pilots go to be discovered. It is affectionately called the “Sundance of television,” attracting content creators from across the United States and around the globe. 

In its ninth season, SAG-AFTRA was once again a sponsor of SeriesFest and participated by contributing as it has throughout the life of the festival: by either producing, moderating or hosting panels and workshops of specific interest and importance to the television artists in attendance. 

This year was no exception, in fact the events we co-sponsored were incredibly well received; nearly all were standing room only. Here’s a quick recap of the events:

On May 7, SAG-AFTRA co-sponsored the panel Actors with Disabilities Making Their Mark in Hollywood: What More Needs to Be Done. Opening remarks for the event were made by SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local Board member Sheila Ivy Traister, who also serves on the National Performers With Disabilities Committee, which works to advance the fair and equitable representation of members with disabilities.  

The panel itself was composed of remarkable talent with unique abilities, and their insight, experience and perspectives shone a light on issues that are not discussed nearly enough. Making exquisite contributions to the conversation were panelists Sue Ann Pien (As We See It), Madison Tevlin (Champions), and Lauren “Lolo” Spencer (Sex Lives of College Girls). The panel was moderated by Lawon Exum, entertainment and news media director of RespectAbility. Exum led the conversation with a gentle hand, which helped to navigate what was at times a difficult conversation.

One quote stood out for the day that captured the spirit of the event beautifully: Tevlin said, “I have Down syndrome, but it’s the least interesting thing about me. It’s part of who I am, but not my whole entire identity.”

On May 8, SeriesFest’s StoryTeller’s Initiative Live Read of Soul City was presented in partnership with SAG Awards-winner Janelle Monáe of Wondaland Productions and SAG-AFTRA to a standing room only crowd.  

Soul City is a hauntingly beautiful hourlong drama written by Lori Webster Fore, mixing real-life historical facts about the history of Black America wrapped in the mysteries of an underworld Black Utopia. Under the expert guidance of returning actor and director Denzel Whitaker (The Great Debaters, Black Panther), the characters and story leapt off the page and held the audience’s interest from cover to cover. All present were clamoring for the series to be made!

Probably most significant at this year’s festival was the participation of SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who served on the festival’s State of the Industry panel on May 8.

Crabtree-Ireland spoke with authority on industry topics such as the WGA strike, economic fairness and artificial intelligence.In addition to the moral, ethical and business concerns AI poses, its use in casting perpetuates old models that undermine our efforts in working toward full inclusion and diversity for all underrepresented communities within our union.

Afterward, Randi Kleiner, co-founder and chief executive officer of SeriesFest approached Crabtree-Ireland and immediately began a discussion about his return for Season 10 and beyond. It was a no-brainer!

In addition to the above, other members of our national staff attended and participated in an informational roundtable event for content creators and manned a station for anyone needing information about hiring our actors and becoming a signatory to our contracts.  

Top photo: SeriesFest’s State of the Industry panel, from left,: Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner Ben Silverman, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland , BBC Studios President, Scripted Mark Linsey , ColorCreative Management President Talitha Watkins and moderator Adam Chitwood,o-executive editor of The Wrap.