FAQs

ATX TV Festival celebrates the television medium: looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it’s headed. The festival consists of Programming (panels, screenings, script readings) and Events where attendees and leaders in the TV industry talk, watch, and experience television together as one community.

Heading into our 15th Season, ATX TV Festival showcases TV’s past, current, and upcoming series through screening Q&As and panel discussions. This programming ranges from never picked up pilots, reunions, current series going into a new season, to premiering content from upfronts, summer, or online. Panel discussions can be 1:1 conversations, featuring a single show, or are focused on a topic that pulls professionals from a variety of shows and features such topics as the ratings system, series finales, and testing/focus groups.

With 50/50 split between fan and industry, ATX TV Festival is a unique festival event that stems from a true celebration of the medium.

Badges and Passes for ATX TV Festival Season 15 are on sale now, as well as Single Tickets to select Programming.

ATX TV Festival takes place in downtown Austin, TX.

The Omni Hotel in Downtown Austin is the ATX TV Festival Season 15 Headquarters -- book your room today!

If the dates/rooms you would like to book are unavailable, please email tv@atxfestival.com to be added to the Waitlist. You will be notified as more rooms become available.

The Season 15 Schedule will be available closer to the Festival.

Friendly reminder, we do our best to prevent changes in Programming and Events, but schedules are subject to change and things can (and probably will) still move around.

Nope! If you have a Badge or TV Pass, you already have access to Programming that also has Single Tickets available. Single Tickets are admitted to Programming after Badges and Passholders.

Single Tickets are only made available for select Programming at the Paramount and State Theatres, and are a great option for those who aren’t able to attend the whole festival. Find out more information about available Badges, TV Passes, and Tickets here.

Yes! We offer a 25% off discount for Badges & Passes to active, reserve, and retired military, as well as first responders and educators. Please email tv@atxfestival.com for more info!

You can also apply for a Student Discount Code for 50% off GP Badges and TV Passes HERE or apply for an Austin Area Local Discount HERE.

Friendly reminder that you must be 18 years or older to purchase an ATX TV Festival Credential, as some content may not be suitable for anyone under the age of 18, and some Festival events may only be accessible to attendees 21 years or older.

Please note, a discount cannot be combined with any other offer.

Although we encourage sharing the Festival with your loved ones, the nature of our small, intimate venues and content (some of which is not suitable for minors) requires us to make certain considerations.

You must be 18 years or older to purchase an ATX TV Festival Credential, as some content may not be suitable for anyone under the age of 18. Please note, some Festival Programming and/or Events may only be accessible to attendees 21 years or older.

Attendees between 12 and 17 years of age are allowed to attend ATX TV Festival, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, and both must have official ATX TV Festival Credentials for the event they would like to attend. Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to attend Festival Programming or Events.

Screenings, Panels, and Conversations, offered daily during the Festival, typically between 10 am - 5 pm. You can see the General Programming we've announced so far HERE.

Both Camp and GP Badges have access to all General Programming. TV Passes allow you access to up to four (4) pieces of General Programming.

Larger Panels, Screenings, and Conversations, often held at the Paramount Theatre. You can see the Marquee Programming we've announced so far HERE.

Both Camp and GP Badges have access to all Marquee Programming. TV Passes allow you to attend one (1) piece of Marquee Programming during the Festival.

Micro Programming takes place in our smallest venues with capacities of just 20 - 35 people, allowing for intimate conversations with our Panelists. You can see the Micro Programming we've announced so far HERE.

Micro Programming includes:

• Micro Conversations: 2 - 3 Panelists discussing a specific theme or topic.
• Micro Screenings: Panelist-led screening and Q&A for 25 - 40 attendees.

Micro Programming is available to Camp Badges. Camp Badgeholders have the opportunity to request at least one (1) Micro Programming Reservation, and more information about submitting those requests will be sent out closer to the Festival.

GP Badges and TV Passes do not have access to Micro Programming.

Camp Events are available to Camp Badges, and are typically held in the evening.

Season 14 Camp Events included TV Trivia Night presented by NBCUniversal and the King of the Hill Backyard BBQ presented by Hulu.

GP Badges and TV Passes do not have access to Camp Events.

Badgeholder Events are available to Camp and GP Badges.

Season 14 Badgeholder Events included Murder & Mystery with Acorn TV, Festival Finale Brunch presented by Plex, Late Night Happy Hour presented by A+E Studios, and more.

TV Passes do not have access to Badgeholder Events.

We typically start announcing Programming in late Fall, and keep in mind that Programming and Panelists may be added all the way up to the weeks and days before the festival. Subscribe to our newsletter here and follow our social channels (@atxfestival) for updates!

Friendly reminder that Panelist appearances/schedules are based on availability and are not guaranteed. All Programming and Events are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. We try to keep you updated on these changes as they happen, but remember to check back often!

Yep! At each series we screen, we have cast, creative representatives, or both in attendance!

Please keep in mind that sometimes despite best efforts, schedules can (and do) change due to unforeseen circumstances, and as such, Panelist appearances/schedules are based on availability and are not guaranteed. All Programming and Events are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice.

Please keep in mind if you’re considering attending the Festival for a single piece of Programming or one Panelist, ATX TV Festival Credentials do not guarantee entry to any Programming or Event, only admission up to capacity.

All Programming, Events, and Panelists are subject to change. Our team works year round to program a diverse and expansive range of content, and while we do our best to prevent changes, schedules can change or an opportunity to see that one person simply may not arise. Instead, join us because you like a few of the series and attendees, and ultimately because you love TV and you’d like to learn about it, discover new shows, and emerge from the festival with a new group of TV-loving friends like yourself!

Our Indie TV Pilot Competition gives fully-produced, independent TV pilots an opportunity to be considered for the Festival’s Indie TV Pilot Showcase hosted at Season 15 in Austin, where one submission will be selected as “Best Indie TV Pilot.” Submissions are now closed, but you can find out more info here.

If you have a great idea for a TV show you'd like to pitch, you should check out The Pitch Competition for information on pitch submissions.

To help you have the best festival ever, select Badgeholders have access to digital Fast Forward Tickets. Similar to our former Fast Passes, Fast Forward Tickets allow you to line up in a priority line (the Primary Line) when attending a piece of Programming.

Camp Badges can receive up to six (6) Fast Forward Tickets to use during the Festival, and GP Badges can receive up to four (4) Fast Forward Tickets to use during the Festival.

You will be able to select your Fast Forward Tickets prior to the Festival, and more information about how to select Tickets will be sent to Badgeholders closer to the Festival.

Keep in mind that not all Programming and Events will be eligible for Fast Forward Tickets, and Tickets won’t be made available for the whole theater/venue capacity - only about a third of a venue. Thus, if you didn’t get a Fast Forward Ticket to something, NEVER FEAR! You can still attend! You'll just line up in the Secondary Line at the venue.

TV Passes do not have access to Fast Forward Tickets.

Nope. We aren’t a “con.” So, we don’t have booths, organized photo ops, or autograph signings.

But what we do have is even BETTER! We try to create an intimate and accessible event that allows for the opportunity to hear from our fantastic Panelists.

Most of our attendees come to the festival because of the accessibility and casual proximity to your favorite TV folks. Our Panelists will often stop and chat any time they have the chance, and you’re likely to see them hanging out after panels and Q&As, grabbing a drink downtown, or even attending other Programming as a fan.

If you need a refresher on the The ATX TV Way and our Code of Conduct, check it out here.

Nope. There are copyright and legal considerations that prevent us from allowing videos inside Festival Programming and Events, and we ask that all attendees respect those considerations for the duration of the Festival.* That said, our videographers do a great job documenting the whole festival, so why don’t you sit back, relax, and let us do the recording for you!

You are welcome to take pictures as long as you are respectful to both Panelists and other attendees — no flashes allowed and don’t hold your phone up throughout the duration of the Programming. It’s distracting, can obstruct others’ views, and keeps you from really experiencing the Programming.

You can check out our Filming / Recording Policy here.

*You will be asked to acknowledge this policy when signing for your ATX TV Festival Credentials at Registration, and we reserve the right to pursue the removal of any illegally obtained media from public forums.

Yep! Paramount and Stateside Theatres have a Bag Policy -- bags should not exceed 14″ x 12″ x 6″ in size, and clear bags preferred for expedited entry. They also do not allow food or beverage of any kind, weapons of any shape or size (including firearms, explosives, pocket knives, etc.), or cameras or recorders of any kind. Find out more here.

The Festival also has a strict Weapons-Free Policy you can review here.

Nope. Each individual must be present and pick up their own Badge or Pass.

Think casual & stay comfortable.

Luckily this is Austin, so you can’t really go wrong with any of your wardrobe choices. An important thing to keep in mind is that even though it will be super hot outside, Texas is BIG on AC… so inside venues, the AC could be cranked way down and it’ll be chilly. We advise bringing a layer or two if you’re prone to being cold.

If you want to infuse your wardrobe with a little festival flare before heading to Austin, make sure to check out our merch!

The ATX TV Festival works hard to make sure that all our Programming and Events are accessible to all attendees. And the more advance notice we have, the better we’re able to plan!

Please review our Accessibility Information here, and email TV@atxfestival.com with any accommodation requests as soon as possible.