Comedian Hasan Minhaj, currently touring with a new show recounting the year he just experienced, is set to headline the 10th edition of the SeriesFest event this May in Denver. This year’s SeriesFest, an annual event focused on “championing emerging and underserved voices in episodic storytelling” (aka TV), is also set to honor Shonda Rhimes’ and Betsy Beers‘ Shondaland shingle, as well as Minnie Driver and SAG-AFTRA.
Shondaland (which has worked with SeriesFest as a partner since 2018 via a female directing mentorship) and Beers will be honored with the Impact in Television Award. The company will also participate in the panel “Legacy in Television: Grey’s Anatomy,” with “Grey’s Anatomy’s” showrunner Meg Marinis, actor James Pickens Jr, Kevin McKidd and Caterina Scorsone in attendance.
SAG-AFTRA, which has partnered with SeriesFest since its launch on panels regarding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, as well as a “Storytellers Initiative,” will be given the Luminaries in Television Award. SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator, will accept on behalf of the organization.
Also, Driver will be honored with the Excellence in Acting Award, recognizing her work in film and TV including “Good Will Hunting,” “The Riches,” “Modern Love,” “Speechless” and the upcoming Starz series “Serpent Queen.”
Shondaland, Beers, SAG-AFTRA and Driver will all be recognized at a new event, SeriesFest Soiree, marking the festival’s 10th anniversary on Friday, May 3.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our milestone Season 10 with an extraordinary lineup of talent,” said Randi Kleiner, CEO and co-founder of SeriesFest. “From Hasan Minhaj’s comedic genius to the groundbreaking work of Betsy Beers, Shondaland, SAG-AFTRA, the incomparable Minnie Driver and the timeless appeal of ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ this year’s festival promises something for everyone. We look forward to welcoming audiences to Denver for five days of unforgettable storytelling.”
SeriesFest will close with Minhaj at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday, May 5. The star, known for his Netflix special “Homecoming King” and series “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” and before that a correspondent on “The Daily Show,” is the co-founder and chief executive officer of 186KFilms, which is currently producing its first feature “For the Culture” with Amazon Studios.
Additional programming for SeriesFest’s “Season 10” (which takes place May 1 to May 5 in Denver) will be announced shortly. Badges and Soiree Tickets are now on sale, while pre-sale Red Rocks tickets for Minhaj start March 27, with general public tickets available starting March 28.
