ATX TV Fest Honors “Landman” With First-Ever Texas Made Award For Television Productions Based In Texas

Roundtable Discussion With The Show’s Stars At A Festival Hit

By Rob Giardinelli      Photography by Manny Pandya and Zachary Salas

THE SCENE: It was at 800 Congress, the place to be in downtown Austin, that was the climax of three days of panels, screenings, and networking. Approximately 200 writers, fans, producers, and sociables turned out for the first-ever Texas Made TV Award. Held on the final day of the 14^th year of the ATX TV Festival, the afternoon dazzled the audience who turned out to honor one of TV’s biggest hits of the decade, the Taylor Sheridan Paramount+ series, Landman.

THE VIBE: The festival-chic attire featured an array of festival wear, with many donning comfortable, Summer-inspired clothing, while others dressed in a nod to the iconic show, complete with more than a few cowboy boots, cowboy hats, sundresses, and denim ensembles spotted amongst the crowd. The result was a welcoming feeling of family that carried throughout the room…and the afternoon.

The fun began as guests lined up outside of 800 Congress, where the joyous crowd of creatives and fans seamlessly mingled, sharing their favorite moments from Landman, as well as other moments they enjoyed throughout the four days of festivities. The crowd cheered as the doors opened and they began to file inside to 800 Congress for the main program.

As guests walked through the door, they were greeted with an array of ice-cold beverages, serving as a refreshing treat on a warm afternoon. Guests then ventured into the event space, where the stage was set with a chair, two sofas, and a coffee table, ensuring attendees were in for a fun afternoon. While some immediately grabbed their favorite seats to get a great view of the stage, others could be seen posing for photos in front of the stage, as well as in front of the ATX TV Sign towards the back of the room, to commemorate the afternoon.

The afternoon began as ATX TV Festival Co-Founders Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson took to the stage. They thanked the crowd for being a part of the inaugural Texas Made TV Award presentation, as well as for their support of the latest ATX TV Festival.

Caitlin and Emily then welcomed Media for Texas Co-Founders Chase Musslewhite and Grant Wood to the stage for the presentation of the inaugural Texas Made TV Award. The award was given to a Texas-based television production that leaves an indelible impression on the industry…and Texas. This year’s award was given to the instant television classic, Paramount +’s Landman. Accepting the award on behalf of Landman were Co-Creator Christian Wallace, as well as Landman performers Jacob Lofland (Cooper Wallace), Michelle Randolph (Ainsley Wallace), and iconic, Golden Globe-Award Winner Billy Bob Thornton (Tommy Norris).

After receiving the award, the Texas Made TV Award was placed prominently on the center of the stage’s coffee table. Wallace, Lofland, Randolph, and Thornton then took to their seats on the two couches on the stage for a panel moderated by Andy Langer. Each shared fun insights on the creation of the show, their characters, the production process, and the family feel on the Landman set. The four repeatedly gave shoutouts to various behind-the-scenes crew members for their hard work that has helped Landman become a part of the cultural lexicon.

After the panel concluded, five lucky audience members took to the microphone, just to the left of the stage, to ask their burning questions, and with that, the panel came to a close. After the panel, many in the audience discussed how the Texas Made TV Awards were the cherry on top of the delightful weekend television feast. Others could be seen crossing Congress Avenue and heading to Paramount Theater for the ATX TV Festival denouement, the weekend’s final panel, a script reading of the iconic 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls that brilliantly showed the impressive, wide range of programming available at the ATX TV Festival.

THE ORGANIZATION: Since its founding in 2012, the ATX TV Festival has served as the go-to weekend for television aficionados from around the world. Hosting a fun, eclectic array of intimate panels, script readings, screenings, writers’ workshops, and evening events, the weekend allows fans to connect with television show creators, performers, and producers in a relaxed setting that fosters conversation and creativity.