SCAD TV Fest brings top creators to Atlanta amid a changing entertainment industry

ATLANTA (WJBF) – Actors, producers and showrunners from across the country descended on Atlanta for the 14th annual SCAD TV Fest, a three-day event connecting students with some of television’s biggest names, and offering a candid look at where the industry is headed.

For more than a decade, the festival has positioned Atlanta as a hub for film and television, giving SCAD students rare, behind-the-scenes access to top creators through panels, screenings and conversations about the future of entertainment.

Showrunner Liz Astrof, whose work includes the series “Stumble,” said much of her writing is rooted in personal experience, even when the story isn’t directly about her.

“Usually my inspiration is I write about myself, or some version of that,” Astrof said. “Everything is a little autofiction. With this show, it’s not about me, but there’s still a piece of you in it and a piece of us in this show.”

The festival comes at a time of uncertainty for the industry. Actors and creatives pointed to a slowdown in production, growing overseas competition and the emergence of artificial intelligence as major challenges reshaping television and film.

Actress Abigail Spencer, who stars in “Best Medicine,” said the shifting landscape has made the business more competitive, but also highlighted Atlanta’s continued strength as a production center.

“It is sad to hear about studios being dormant,” Spencer said. “It’s become more competitive. At the end of the day, it’s a business, and we have to find ways to support production here. I’ve shot in a lot of regional places, and Atlanta’s at the top.”

Industry leaders say Georgia’s success is fueled in part by its long-standing tax incentives. Since 2008, the state has offered a 30-percent tax credit for film and television projects, drawing productions away from traditional hubs like Los Angeles and New York, and creating more opportunities for local cast and crew.

Showrunner Lang Fisher, whose credits include “Never Have I Ever” and “The Four Seasons,” said the geographic shift is changing who gets access to jobs and auditions.

“This festival has always knocked it out of the park,” Fisher said. “As the industry spreads beyond just New York and L.A., that’s a good thing in some ways.”

She acknowledged the impact on Los Angeles, where many workers remain out of work, but said the expansion benefits creatives who live outside major markets.

“It’s nice for people who don’t live there who can now audition here and meet directors here,” Fisher said.

Cast and crew from hit shows including “Scrubs,” “Abbott Elementary” and “The Pitt” also took part in the festival, sharing advice with students and emphasizing the importance of training, resilience and persistence in a rapidly changing industry.

SCAD TV Fest wrapped up in Atlanta this weekend. The SCAD Film Festival heads next to Savannah later this October, with organizers expecting around 60,000 attendees for screenings, panels and workshops.

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