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ATLANTA (WJBF)<\/strong> \u2013 Actors, producers and showrunners from across the country descended on Atlanta for the 14th annual\u00a0SCAD\u00a0TV Fest, a three-day event connecting students with some of television\u2019s biggest names, and offering a candid look at where the industry is headed.<\/p>\n For more than a decade, the festival has positioned Atlanta as a hub for film and television, giving\u00a0SCAD\u00a0students rare, behind-the-scenes access to top creators through panels, screenings and conversations about the future of entertainment.<\/p>\n Showrunner Liz Astrof, whose work includes the series \u201cStumble,\u201d said much of her writing is rooted in personal experience, even when the story isn\u2019t directly about her.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually my inspiration is I write about myself, or some version of that,\u201d Astrof said. \u201cEverything is a little autofiction. With this show, it\u2019s not about me, but there\u2019s still a piece of you in it and a piece of us in this show.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Actress Abigail Spencer, who stars in \u201cBest Medicine,\u201d said the shifting landscape has made the business more competitive, but also highlighted Atlanta\u2019s continued strength as a production center.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is sad to hear about studios being dormant,\u201d Spencer said. \u201cIt\u2019s become more competitive. At the end of the day, it\u2019s a business, and we have to find ways to support production here. I\u2019ve shot in a lot of regional places, and Atlanta\u2019s at the top.\u201d<\/p>\n Industry leaders say Georgia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Showrunner Lang Fisher, whose credits include \u201cNever Have I Ever\u201d and \u201cThe Four Seasons,\u201d said the geographic shift is changing who gets access to jobs and auditions.<\/p>\n \u201cThis festival has always knocked it out of the park,\u201d Fisher said. \u201cAs the industry spreads beyond just New York and L.A., that\u2019s a good thing in some ways.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice for people who don\u2019t live there who can now audition here and meet directors here,\u201d Fisher said.<\/p>\n Cast and crew from hit shows including \u201cScrubs,\u201d \u201cAbbott Elementary\u201d\u00a0and \u201cThe Pitt\u201d also took part in the festival, sharing advice with students and emphasizing the importance of training, resilience and persistence in a rapidly changing industry.<\/p>\n SCAD\u00a0TV Fest wrapped up in Atlanta this weekend. The\u00a0SCAD\u00a0Film Festival heads next to Savannah later this October, with organizers expecting around 60,000 attendees for screenings, panels and workshops.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n