New York Television Festival Sets Up Production Arm

NEW YORK: The New York Television Festival (NYTVF) is launching a new arm, NYTVF Productions, formed to be a production partner for independent television artists to develop pilot presentations and/or series for TV and digital networks.

NYTVF Productions has four development partners already in place: A&E Network, FOX, HISTORY and The Orchard. These four partnerships will result in three pilot presentations and one series order, co-produced by NYTVF Productions in conjunction with indie artists.

A&E Unscripted Development Pipeline will see NYTVF Productions working with the winner of this initiative to create an unscripted pilot presentation. FOX Comedy Alumni Production sees NYTVF Productions collaborating with the winner of this to develop a comedy pilot presentation. NYTVF Productions will work with the winner of the 2015 HISTORY Unscripted Development Pipeline initiative to create an unscripted pilot presentation. The winner of The Orchard GO Project will work with NYTVF Productions to create a six-episode series for the indie distributor/multichannel network. This is the first time that The Orchard will fund and produce its own original episodic series. 

“For anyone tracking the impressive growth trajectory and influence of the NYTVF over the years, it’s no surprise that development and production partnerships were the next logical step,” said The Orchard’s senior VP of film and TV, Paul Davidson. “At The Orchard we share their passion for discovering and developing talented new voices and are excited to be doing so as a launch partner for NYTVF Productions.”

“The idea of independent TV has greatly evolved since we created the Festival ten years ago, as new players have entered the market for original programming; technology has made it easier to produce, edit, fund, promote and self-distribute content; and filmmakers have looked to TV and digital as strong, respected mediums for their art,” added New York Television Festival's founder and executive director, Terence Gray, who will be taking on the additional role of executive producer for NYTVF Productions. “We have evolved as well, thanks to trust from our industry partners who now know the NYTVF as a conduit to top indie talent, to creators who look to us as a way to start or grow their careers, win development deals, land jobs on network shows, meet agents, and now with NYTVF Productions, get further opportunities to achieve pilot and series orders.”