2019 Festival
In 2019, we launched the inaugural science + technology script competition and turned the winner, Distemper, into a pilot that we premiered. We also selected and screened four incredible pilots, honored stars like Kelsey Grammer, and hosted festive parties.
Constance Wu on the red carpet
Official Festival Selections
DISTEMPER (Sloan Competition Winner)
Writer: Maxwell Pitagno
Director/Producer: Elias Plagianos
Distemper tells the true story of pathologist and LGBT icon Louise Pearce as she works to find a cure for African Trypanosomiasis as it infects millions across the Belgian Congo.
Learn more about Distemper
UPS AND DOWNS
Director/Writer: Eoin Cleland
A young man with Down syndrome tricks his sister into a road trip to go to a concert while being pursued by their mum. With no phones, no money, and no plan, can they make it?
RAINBOW RUTHIE
Director/Writer: Ruth Marantz
An ex–teen star from Manhattan Public Access TV in the nineties decides to relive her glory days.
OTIS
Director/Writer: Alexander Etseyatse
Producers: Ebony Lewis + Lily Johnson
A young, calm, and mentally unstable man attempts to convince his new buddy that they don’t belong at a psych ward by inciting an uprising while trying to win back the affection of his ex-fiancée and daughter.
M
Director: Javier Devitt
Writers: Mateo Ingouville + Ezequiel Schmoller
Diane and Tim, a young American couple, give up their search for Tim’s father in Patagonia only to encounter a local conman, Alejandro, who lures them back into their journey. As the three travel deeper into the woods, mysteries abound and the forest plays tricks. Each is searching for something — and ultimately discovering much more. They may be hunting a man. But what’s hunting them?
Timing: October 4-5, 2019
Location: Greenport Theatre
North Fork TV Festival 2019 Official News12+ Segment:
Award Winners & Panelists
Kelsey Grammer / Actor (CHEERS)
The Canopy Award
Constance Wu / Actress (FRESH OFF THE BOAT)
The Ambassador of the Arts Award
Alice Cahn / Media Executive (PINK PANTHER AND PALS)
The Award for Achievement in Children’s Television
Aasif Mandvi / American Actor (EVIL)
The Inspiration Award
Constance Wu Ambassador of the Arts discussion
DISTEMPER pilot panel
Constance Wu (right) and Cynthia Littleton of Variety • Photo by Phil Firetog
M’s director, Javier Devitt, Alena Chinault, and Jon McCormick • Photo by Phil Firetog
Festival co-chair Haleigh Raff, Constance Wu, and festival founder Noah Doyle • Photo by Phil Firetog
Matais Sanchez and Nora Lin at Friday night’s opening party • Photo by Barbara Lassen for Dan’s Papers
Kelsey Grammer • Photo by Dave Costantini
Otis’s writer and director, Alexander Etseyatse (center), Murray Adams (left), and showrunner David Feige, who selected the pilot • Photo by Anakin Mignone
Chiké Okonkwo, Lukas Hassel, Abigail Hawk, and Distemper’s director, Elias Plagianos, at Friday night’s opening party • Photo by Barbara Lassen for Dan’s Papers
Ups and Downs’ writer and director, Eoin Cleland (right), and Donna Drake • Photo by Phil Firetog
Lukas Hassel and Tara Westwood • Photo by Dave Costantini
Vanessa Cadarillo and Matthew VonVida at Friday night’s opening party • Photo by Barbara Lassen for Dan’s Papers
Distemper actors Chiké Okonkwo and Abigail Hawk • Photo by Dave Costantini
Aasif Mandvi with the Inspiration Award • Photo by Anakin Mignone
Kelsey Grammer with the Canopy Award • Photo by Barbara Lassen for Dan’s Papers
Showrunner David Greenwalt, who selected Ups and Downs for the competition • Photo by Phil Firetog
Showrunner Rockne S. O'Bannon, who selected M for the competition • Photo by Phil Firetog