ATX TV Festival is celebrating a major milestone in 2026 — its 15th year of “TV Camp for Grown Ups” — and they’re kicking things off by returning to the show that helped launch the festival’s very first season: Friday Night Lights.
The beloved Texas-shot drama will receive the Festival’s 2026 “Texas Made” Award, presented with Media for Texas. The honor recognizes productions and talent that elevate TV and film opportunities within the state, reinforce Texas as a creative hub, and embody the spirit and storytelling that make the Lone Star State so unique. This marks the second year the award is being presented in partnership with Media for Texas, the state’s leading media advocacy nonprofit working to strengthen the industry through workforce development, production support, and statewide policy.
To mark the occasion, ATX TV will host a marquee 20th anniversary reunion panel featuring cast and creatives who brought Dillon, Texas to life. Confirmed guests include Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Adrianne Palicki, showrunner/executive producer Jason Katims, EP/writer David Hudgins, EP/director Jeffrey Reiner, co-EP/writer Liz Heldens, and consulting producer/writer Kerry Ehrin — with more to be announced.
“We’re passionate about celebrating great television and the community around it,” said Caitlin McFarland, Co-President and Co-Founder of ATX TV. “Friday Night Lights has been part of the festival’s DNA since year one, and honoring its 20th anniversary with our Texas Made award couldn’t be a more perfect fit. As Texas expands its film and TV landscape through newly passed historic incentives, there’s no better time to celebrate a series that showed just how incredible production in this state can be.”
Showrunner and executive producer Jason Katims added, “The Friday Night Lights family is delighted to return to the ATX TV Festival and to Austin, where the show was filmed. We’re honored to receive the Texas Made award.”
Adrianne Palicki shared, “I’m beyond grateful for Friday Night Lights. To say it changed my life is an understatement. Thank you to ATX TV Festival for getting the team back together for our 20th anniversary in Austin!”
Additional Programming Announced for 2026
• Homicide: Life on the Street Retrospective — Screening of “Three Men and Adena” + Conversation
ATX will host a special retrospective of the Emmy-winning episode “Three Men and Adena,” followed by a conversation with Tom Fontana, David Simon, and Kyle Secor. The groundbreaking episode remains one of the most influential hours of crime TV, spotlighting the intense 12-hour interrogation of a suspect in the murder of 11-year-old Adena Watson.
Based on Simon’s book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, the series chronicled Baltimore’s Homicide Unit and earned 17 Emmy nominations and four wins across six seasons.
• Sweet/Vicious — 10-Year Anniversary Reunion
The cult-favorite vigilante dramedy returns to ATX for a 10-year reunion with creator Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, EPs Amanda Lasher and Stacey Sher, producer Emily Levitan, and stars Eliza Bennett and Taylor Dearden. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on the series’ legacy, and a look at its continued resonance a decade later.
• Inside Job: TV’s Non-Writing Producers
This panel dives into the vital role of non-writing producers — from development to final cut. Confirmed panelists include Melissa Bernstein (House of the Dragon), Stacey Sher (Mrs. America), Sarah Timberman (Justified: City Primeval), Kathleen McCaffrey (Industry), and Karen Wacker (Lanterns).
• A Late Night Show with Greg Iwinski — Live Episode Returns
Emmy-winning writer Greg Iwinski returns with an all-new live “episode,” joined by announcer/sidekick Jim Fagan and the Late Night Invisible Orchestra. Expect headline-driven comedy, special guests, music, and surprises.
ATX TV Expands Competition Categories: Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase Now Open
For the first time, ATX is opening submissions for an Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase, giving independent creators the chance to have their pilots screened at the 2026 festival and compete for Best Indie TV Pilot.
Creators can submit completed pilots 20–65 minutes across all genres. At least three selections will screen during the showcase, with a panel of industry judges selecting one winner.
This new showcase joins ATX TV’s long-running Pitch Competition & Mentorship Program, which supports emerging TV writers with tools, guidance, and industry access.
The Showcase builds on ATX’s existing Indie TV programming, which has previously featured projects including The Long Long Night (Duplass Brothers Productions), You Belong Here (Macaroni Art), Bollywood Dance U (Meralta Films & Amplify Pictures), and Everyone Is Doing Great from James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti.
Submissions for both the Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase and the Pitch Competition & Mentorship Program are now open. More details will be announced soon.
All programming and panelists are subject to change.
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