OUR MISSION
SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to championing artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. With year-round educational programs, initiatives supporting underserved voices, and professional development opportunities, SeriesFest inspires, educates, and connects a worldwide community of creators.
WE ARE
Passionate Opportunity Makers
connecting emerging and underserved episodic artists with established industry professionals and new audiences.
Industry Trailblazers
facilitating a pipeline that carries and supports independent creators and their stories from pitch through production.
Tastemakers & Curators
amplifying diverse voices and stories that represent a global worldview.
Community Builders
creating year-round opportunities for episodic artists and executives to connect and cultivate relationships with like-minded professionals.
INCLUSION & EQUITY STATEMENT
OUR ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Since 2015, SeriesFest has been the ultimate destination for TV enthusiasts, creators, and industry professionals to celebrate the art of episodic storytelling. Each spring, we gather independent artists and industry leaders, in Denver, CO, for an unforgettable festival experience. From exclusive panels and independent screenings to red carpet events and world premieres, SeriesFest connects thought leaders, decision-makers, and creatives.
Coming up next…
SeriesFest: Season 12
May 6–10, 2026
Denver, CO
Talent Discovery Platform
SeriesFest offers independent episodic artists the unique opportunity to screen their pilots in competition at the festival in front of an audience of major industry players, network executives, and fans. Independent pilots that premiered at SeriesFest have been picked up by major networks including MAX, AppleTV+, AMC, BBC, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime and more!
Network Premieres & Events
SeriesFest has premiered acclaimed series like Yellowstone, Mr. Robot, Dr. Death, and New Amsterdam, while celebrating iconic moments like the 20th anniversary panel of Grey’s Anatomy, honoring groundbreaking television and storytelling.
Featuring Diverse, Global Series
Our vision is to ensure everyone sees themselves in television—both onscreen and behind-the-camera. We evaluate every production on their commitment to hiring and casting, focusing on those that fight for progress.
TV Industry Thought Leaders
From our signature State of the Industry panel, to artist-focused discussions, to TV series reunions, we host 40+ thought leaders on 10+ exclusive in-person panels.
Industry Professional Audience
SeriesFest attendees are 95% TV industry professionals, offering a networking experience like nowhere else. Find your future collaborators, access funding, and join a supportive, resilient community at SeriesFest.
Watch
SeriesFest: Season 9 Q&A
SeriesFest: Season 9 Panel
SeriesFest: Season 9 Q&A
OUR YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SeriesFest has created and administers education programs that strive to inspire and celebrate the voice inside of every student and break down barriers that limit access both in our community and throughout the country. Learn more.
Community Focused
85% of programs are in Colorado schools and community centers, bringing arts education to underserved areas.
Increased Access
Classes serve 2000+ students per year, across the country. Program access grows by over 40% each year.
Inclusive Curriculum
Our program is rooted in inclusivity to serve students from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities in a safe, educational environment.
Hands-On Experience
With an educator-student ratio of 1:10, students get the focused attention they deserve.
Watch the trailer
OUR YEAR-ROUND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
At the heart of its mission, SeriesFest champions and empowers artists in episodic storytelling to share their stories on a global scale. SeriesFest proudly presents year-round opportunities for creators to connect, collaborate, hone their craft, and learn from established industry professionals to move their projects – and careers – forward. Learn more or view open submissions.
Corey Dashaun
As a mentee in our inaugural Executive Elevation Mentorship, Corey connected with mentor Chiké Okonkwo. Following this, he won our Storytellers Initiative with his project F*ck Summer’s Over, which received a development deal with Ben Silverman’s Propagate Content. He has since been staffed in multiple writers rooms for Hulu, NBC, and Peacock.
Driadonna Roland
In 2021, Driadonna was matched with Executive Producer Ming Lee Howell as part of our Executive Elevation Mentorship. Driadonna is a development coordinator at Comedy Central.
Tamika Miller
Tamika won cycle 2 of the Women Directing Mentorship in 2020 affording her the opportunity to direct 2 episodes of the Shondaland original series Station 19. Read the press release. Tamika is a director and writer.
Watch
Timeline
January 2015
SeriesFest was Born!
SeriesFest was founded by Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith to champion artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. In announcing Denver, CO, as its home, SeriesFest ushered this historic birthplace of cable television into a new era.
Read the article.
March 2015
The Storytellers Initiative Began
Foundational to SeriesFest’s mission, the Storytellers Initiative is a screenwriting competition built to connect emerging creatives with industry executives.
Each year, we partner with trailblazing organizations—including Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland, Ben Silverman’s Propagate Content, Ed Helms’ Pacific Electric Picture Company, and Green Pastures Studios—to amplify bold, new voices with trajectory-shifting opportunities.
May 2015
SeriesFest Debut at Red Rocks
Since its debut in 2015, SeriesFest has brought iconic talent to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, merging TV, music, and comedy in unforgettable ways. Highlights include performances by John Legend and Whitney Cummings (Season 1), Sia (Season 2), and Stevie Wonder with Usher (Season 5). Seasons have also featured Lady Antebellum, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and Common, paired with exclusive TV screenings like Paramount’s Yellowstone and IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase. After a pandemic pause in 2020 and 2021, the festival returned stronger than ever with Lake Street Dive (2022) and comedians Chelsea Handler and Joel McHale (2023), solidifying SeriesFest’s legacy at Red Rocks.
June 18–21, 2015
SeriesFest: Season 1
For the first time ever, SeriesFest brought independent episodic creators and industry professionals together in Denver, CO, to celebrate the power of television.
Watch the recap.
November 2018
The Women Directing Mentorship with Shondaland Launched
Known for bringing dynamic female characters to the small screen, Shondaland was a perfect match for SeriesFest’s women-focused directing initiative.
Since it’s first winner in 2019, this competition has provided a launchpad for female directors by affording them the opportunity to shadow a director on a Shondaland original series.
Read the press release.
April 2020
The Executive Elevation Mentorship Program Accepts its First Applicants
Recognizing the need to diversify the landscape of televisions top decision makers, SeriesFest founded the Executive Elevation Mentorship Program to match aspiring executives with influential executives of color.
Read the press release.
November 2021
The Mobile Cinema Lab Welcomes its First Students
Recognizing that young filmmakers often find it difficult to access arts education, SeriesFest built a traveling film education program from the ground up! Since 2021, SeriesFest’s Mobile Cinema Lab has brought trained educators and industry-standard equipment into classrooms and community centers across Colorado—expanding nationally in 2022.
May 2024
SeriesFest Celebrates 10 Years of Storytelling
SeriesFest celebrated our milestone 10 year anniversary, with our first ever unforgettable SeriesFest Soirée as we marked a decade of passion and groundbreaking storytelling! Since 2015, SeriesFest has been dedicated to amplifying independent voices in television, and with your support, we’ve brought this vision to life. The evening was a true celebration, as we honored television luminaries Minnie Driver, Betsy Beers, and SAG-AFTRA for their remarkable contributions to the industry.
Support Us
SeriesFest is a year-round, not-for-profit organization that supports artists and students worldwide. Your generous support helps us maintain and grow initiatives that empower a diverse group of creatives at the forefront of episodic storytelling.
Ready to donate?
Make a 100% tax-deductible donation to help support our year-round mission.
Thank you for your support!
Interested in sponsorship?
Partner with SeriesFest! To discuss sponsorship for the festival, education programs, and artist initiatives, email Patrick O’Brien, Director of Partnerships.
Don’t know where to start?
Get in touch. We appreciate your interest and would love to chat about how we can work together!
Donate by using the secure form below. Open this page on a mobile device for additional payment options.
Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Open form in a new tab.
