A brand new TV Festival in Manchester have unveiled the first look at its inaugural edition taking place in Manchester UK at University of Salford, Gorilla and the cities flagship film, arts and theatre venue HOME.
Pilot Light TV Festival is a brand new television festival dedicated to celebrating the best in episodic content from around the world. With there not been all that many TV festivals in the UK you might ask, how does a TV festival work? Pilot Light’s Festival Director Greg Walker explains “In a very similar structure to a traditional film festival, Pilot Light TV Festival is over 4 days and will contain screenings of all kinds of TV shows & Web Series, new & old, plus exclusive panels featuring the writers, producers, directors, actors and more behind them!’
Whilst TV is a major part of pop culture, it’s typically watched alone. Pilot Light turns that idea on its head with a totally new, communal TV experience. Pilot Light is set to provide a vibrant environment where fans and industry can come together to celebrate the past, present and future of television & web series.
One of the first programme highlights revealed is a retrospective screening and panel surrounding Nathan Barley; Chris Morris & Charlie Brooker’s under-appreciated, utterly hilarious and scarily prophetic satire about an idiotic, pretentious vlogging media figure living in East London.
In celebrating the most groundbreaking work taking place in web series production, Pilot Light will also screen Her Story in its entirety. This critically acclaimed web series, endorsed by the likes of Laverne Cox (Orange is The New Black) and Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues) follows the trials and tribulations of queer and trans* women in their dating and work lives.
The last peek at Pilot Light Season 1 presents a very special 10th Anniversary screening and panel dedicated to 2006’s Snuff Box; the short-lived but nonetheless legendary black comedy created by Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher. This Anniversary promises to let our audiences rediscover why the likes of Simon Pegg, Paul Rudd and more regard the show as one of the peak achievements in modern British comedy.
The festival is supported by University of Salford and is presented in association with Create Salford 2016 which takes place 18th April-17th June and celebrates the best artistic work from the university’s students.
Season 1 of Pilot Light TV Festival will take place between three amazing venues; Manchester’s premiere cross arts complex HOME, Trof’s venue Gorilla and the University of Salford which is situated amongst the TV capital of the north, MediaCityUK.
The full line up and tickets for Pilot Light TV Festival will be released late March/early April. All updates on the festival can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More information on the festival can be found on the Pilot Light website.
