Lance Avery Morgan
The Duo Behind Television’s Smartest Festival Celebrates 15 Years Of Television Magic
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography courtesy of ATX TV Festival
If television is the campfire of our time, then Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson are the fearless flame keepers… stoking the sparks, curating the stories, and inviting everyone to pull up a chair. Fifteen years ago, the longtime friends and industry insiders swapped studio backlots for the heart of Texas, determined to create something the entertainment world didn’t know it desperately needed: a television festival that felt less like a press junket and more like a family reunion, that is, if your family happened to include Emmy winners, showrunners, and super-fans of Friday Night Lights. Enter the ATX TV Festival, happening May 28-31. Later in the piece, view the just-announced featured programming.
Passion For TV
The ATX TV Festival wasn’t born in a boardroom; it was built on big ideas and an even bigger passion. This was not going to be a toe-dip. This was supposed to be the real deal, as McFarland and Gipson envisioned a space where creators and audiences could mingle, binge, reminisce, and rethink the very nature of television. The result? A genre-busting, nostalgia-drenched, forward-looking festival that’s part industry summit, part fan heaven, and 100% love letter to the medium of TV.
Through streaming wars, reboots, and reckonings, McFarland and Gipson have kept their vision sharp and their tone refreshingly Texan. From intimate cast reunions that hit you right in the feels to candid conversations that push the industry forward, the duo has transformed ATX from a “little festival that could” into a can’t-miss annual pilgrimage for storytellers and story-lovers alike.
As they toast to fifteen years of television magic, with many more years ahead, McFarland and Gipson remain what they’ve always been: connectors, curators, and champions of television as both art and community. And if you think they’re done redefining what a festival can be, well, you clearly haven’t seen the Season 15 script yet, as our Lance Avery Morgan learns when the duo shares their secrets to success in this exclusive interview.
Scrappy Visionaries Who Made Austin A Television Destination
When Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson launched the ATX TV Festival 14 years ago, the idea of it becoming a cultural institution was far from their minds. “We didn’t even imagine a second year,” Caitlin admits with a laugh. “It was quite simply an adventure.”
The festival’s “let’s do this” moment, she explains, came gradually: writing it down, building an advisory board, launching a Kickstarter; small, deliberate steps that led to the first festival. And while those early years were scrappy, as Caitlin proudly notes, the momentum of each successful season fueled the next. A Gilmore Girls reunion in Season 4 even sparked a three-year deal with Entertainment Weekly. “The closest to ‘giving up’ was over COVID and the entertainment strikes,” Caitlin recalls. “But what keeps it going is the energy and engine of our team and attendees, who make it clear how much it means to them.”
For Emily, the evolution of ATX TV has been full of surprises. “I am always surprised when I see ATX TV ‘in the wild,’” she says. Spotting tote bags or T-shirts or reading about the Festival in the press outside their bubble drives home just how much bigger the Festival has become. “You hope people will come and enjoy it, but I never imagined the community that would exist outside of it: friendships, collaborations, the industry connections. It feels very cool to be seen as an integral part of TV.”
At The Festival, You’ll Find…
What gets featured at the Festival? Caitlin and Emily credit both audience input and their own passions. “It starts from what we are watching and loving,” Emily says. Panels and screenings reflect not just popular demand but the genuine excitement of the Festival’s curators. “It’s all about discovery,” Caitlin adds, “making sure we spotlight what we are loving.”
Staying ahead in an ever-changing industry requires keen awareness and constant conversation. “We hear about new series and creators making their mark,” Emily explains. “Then we work to showcase them immediately.” ATX TV also provides a platform for the community to share thoughts on the shows they’re watching, regardless of format or timing. It’s this focus on engagement that keeps the Festival fresh and relevant year after year.
The Festival’s true magic, though, lies in the connections it fosters. “One of our core tenets has always been to bring together the TV fan and industry as one community,” Emily says. The results have exceeded expectations; relationships formed over shared love of shows have blossomed into long-term friendships and collaborations.
And the moments that make them pause in awe? Caitlin lists a few: surprising Friday Night Lights fans with Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler, the Gilmore Girls reunion at a sold-out Paramount Theater, and “TV Wonderland”… a spontaneous gathering of casts and creators from Ugly Betty, West Wing, The O.C., The Shield, and more, mingling over drinks and piano music. “It was pure TV magic,” she says.
Go Ahead, Pinch Me
Emily recalls a recent “pinch-me” moment: a Human Rights Watch–presented brunch with 10 panelists, many of whom she considers friends. “I looked around and realized I was sitting in the midst of TV greatness,” she says. “These people created some of my favorite shows, and they are here because of something Cait and I started. It was incredible.”
If either could design the ultimate panel, Caitlin has a dream: “I Love Lucy; the cast and writers. It is still so formative.”
Their advice to anyone building something from scratch is equally inspiring. Caitlin’s mantra: “‘I don’t know’ is not an answer. If you don’t know, find out.” Emily’s takeaway: happiness comes from the process, not just the achievement. “You have to find a way to be happy in the doing,” she says, a philosophy that clearly resonates through every panel, screening, and reunion at the ATX TV Festival.
From scrappy beginnings to a beloved fixture of Austin culture, Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson have not only curated television but also cultivated community. In their 15th year, it’s clear the Festival is just as much about the people it brings together as the shows it celebrates.
Here’s Some More Up Close And Personal Time With The Dynamic Duo:
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…
Caitlin McFarland: Tenacity, high risk threshold, sense of adventure.
Emily Gipson: Curiosity, integrity, kindness
Easiest career decision I ever made is…
Caitlin McFarland: Working for Nora Ephron in NYC.
Emily Gipson: Quitting my corporate job to start the Festival. Some see it as a risk, but to me, it was the next adventure, and I was ready for it.
Due to my ongoing involvement with television, I have found that…
Emily Gipson: There is no such thing as guilty pleasure viewing! Just because something may not be “prestige” does not mean it doesn’t have value, even if that’s fully just entertainment. So much goes into making every frame of TV, and that should be valuable in itself.
What is influencing me right now is..
Emily Gipson: My 22-year-old goddaughter! She keeps me updated on new trends, especially music. We went record shopping when she was here for the Festival, and I definitely spent too much money based on her recommendations, but she has great taste.
How I made my first dollar…
Caitlin McFarland: Not sure how interesting it is, but babysitting. I did a lot of babysitting followed by a lot of retail.
Emily Gipson: Definitely babysitting. I think that was being a teen in the 90’s.
First music I bought was…
Caitlin McFarland: I’m not sure what the first music was, but my first CD was Garth Brooks’ The Hits.
Emily Gipson: I didn’t buy it, but I did win The Bodyguard soundtrack at a sock hop in elementary school. It was the first CD I ever owned, and I had to go get a CD player to listen to it.
Whenever I hear a Yacht Rock song, I immediately…
Emily Gipson: Feel the cool ocean breeze and start to sway. And I picture retirement, because who doesn’t want to live out their remaining years in the Yacht Rock lifestyle?
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…
Caitlin McFarland: Top Chef’s latest season.
Emily Gipson: Sirens. As a rule, I’m an anti-binger. I just couldn’t stop watching! And it was only five episodes. But I loved it.
Book that left a lasting impression on me…
Emily Gipson: The Leftovers. I hadn’t read it until this year, though I am an avid fan of the TV show. Itis a beautiful book, and I did not want it to end.
On that note, my favorite fictional character is…
Caitlin McFarland: Lucy Ricardo is my favorite TV character.
Emily Gipson: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was my hero as a teenager, and I still talk about her to this day when I need a confidence boost.
My real-life hero has got to be…
Emily Gipson: Michelle Obama.
What everyone should try in their lifetime is…
Emily Gipson: Travel. Travel. Travel. I don’t care where, just go somewhere new, experience a new culture, new food, and beautiful sites. The world is so big, go see some of it!
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…
Emily Gipson: Power napping. I am an excellent 20-minute napper and do think it is an art (or sport) that I have perfected! I don’t know how someone would judge that, though.
If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…
Emily Gipson: Flying.
A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…
Caitlin McFarland: If by “people” you mean my 1.5-year-old toddler…you just have to sneeze.
Emily Gipson: Apparently, there’s a whole movement called Laughing Yoga where you stand in a circle with people and force yourself to laugh, and it eventually turns into real laughter (your body doesn’t know the difference between real and fake laughter). A friend of mine, my mom, and I tried it together…it actually worked!
A phrase I might overuse would be…
Emily Gipson: I’m leaving now––when I’m really about 10 minutes away from being ready to leave.
My motto? Easy, it is…
Emily Gipson: “Send love.”
My style icon on TV is…
Caitlin McFarland: Seriously, Frankie from Grace and Frankie (I want all her clothes).
Emily Gipson: Michelle Obama.
My personal style signifier is…
Caitlin McFarland: A jean jacket.
Emily Gipson: Shorts or flowy pants and a tank top (for the summer).
The last meal that truly impressed me was…
Caitlin McFarland: This may be the hardest question you’ve asked. I take food very seriously, but I feel like I’ve been living on French fries lately. An oldie but goodie would be Uchi for my husband’s birthday (it always impresses).
Emily Gipson: The burgers from Leroy and Lewis Barbecue that we had at our King of the Hill Backyard BBQ during the Festival. They are so good.
In my fridge, you will always find…
Caitlin McFarland: Milk (cue the toddler). For me, though, eggs.
Emily Gipson: Topo Chico and Siete tortillas.
My perfect day would end…
Caitlin McFarland: Snuggles from my daughter, a bourbon, and something great on TV.
Emily Gipson: During the summer, it’s a late-night swim.
The title of my autobiography will likely be…
Emily Gipson: Sometimes I Hum When I Eat.
Just-Announced Festival Programming Highlights:
ATX TV Festival has just announced additional programming joining the line-up for 2026, which marks the festival’s 15th Season. The latest programming joining the 2026 Festival includes:
Everybody (Still) Loves Raymond: A Night of Comedy with Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano, and Writers – In celebration of the series’ 30th Anniversary, Everybody Loves Raymond creator/showrunner/executive producer Phil Rosenthal (Somebody Feed Phil), star/executive producer Ray Romano (No Good Deed), and the writers behind the Emmy Award-winning sitcom will reunite for an evening of comedy & conversation, sharing the hilariously real stories from their own families and marriages that inspired the show’s most memorable (and relatable) scenes. Additional panelists will be announced soon. Everybody Loves Raymond debuted on CBS in 1996, receiving 15 Emmys and 69 nominations throughout its run and becoming a cultural phenomenon with both viewers and critics alike.
BritBox brings the world of Jane Austen to Austin with a featured Screening and Q&A for The Other Bennet Sister – First-time festival partner BritBox will host an advance screening of the streamer’s upcoming original series, The Other Bennet Sister. Based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, the period drama tells the story of Mary Bennet, the seemingly unremarkable and overlooked middle sister in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Following the screening, stars Ella Bruccoleri and Dónal Finn will join for a Q&A conversation delving into the romance and drama of the series, its reimagining of the beloved universe of Pride & Prejudice, and its place within the broader world of literary adaptations. The series, a co-production between BritBox and BBC, is set to premiere on BritBox in North America later this year.
In addition to the screening, BritBox will also partner with ATX TV to host several events and activations for fans across the festival’s four days, with details to be announced soon.
Friday Night Lights 20th Anniversary Reunion Expands with Additional Cast – Friday Night Lights stars Gaius Charles, Jesse Plemons, and Aimee Teegarden will join the festival’s 20th Anniversary Reunion in Austin this May. They join previously announced cast members Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, and Adrianne Palicki, and showrunner/executive producer Jason Katims, executive producer/writer David Hudgins, executive producer/director Jeffrey Reiner, co-executive producer/writer Liz Heldens, and consulting producer/writer Kerry Ehrin. The series is set to receive the Festival’s 2026 “Texas Made” Award presented by Media for Texas, which celebrates productions and talent that have created opportunities for TV & film professionals within the state; bolsters Texas as a creative & cultural center; and exemplifies the unique spirit and storytelling opportunities throughout Texas. Additional participants and details for the anniversary event will be announced soon.
The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health to presenta “Conversation on Medical Accuracy on TV” – The festival will partner with The John Ritter Foundation to host a conversation on the importance of medical accuracy on TV, exploring the real-life impact that medical series have on the viewer’s relationship to the healthcare system and to their own personal health, including awareness, education, and preventive measures. Panelists will be announced soon.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) explores TV’s “Nuclear Renaissance” – Nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization NTI will present “A Nuclear Renaissance on TV: How Atomic Storylines Can Save Us from Armageddon.” The panel conversation will explore TV’s legacy of shaping public opinion and policy change on nuclear threats, what draws creators to nuclear themes, how those storylines are developed, and the risks of reality catching up with fiction. Panelists will be announced soon.
Pluto TV Returns to host the Festival’s Official Badgeholder Lounge – Pluto TV, the free streaming home for beloved television series, will return as presenter of the Festival’s official Badgeholder Lounge for Season 15, which includes daily hosted events, themed photo opps and festive activities featuring your favorite series available on Pluto TV, and a place for attendees to connect (over television) throughout the Festival. In the spirit of their free TV offering, Pluto TV will also provide free pedicab transportation for ATX TV Festival Badgeholders all weekend long! Stay tuned for additional lounge updates and more from Pluto TV.
“Around the TV Set” Roundtable Conversation with the Television Critics Association – ATX TV and the Television Critics Association will partner on “Around the TV Set,” an interactive, topical roundtable about industry trends, the shows of the moment, and the evolving art of TV criticism and reporting featuring TV critics you know and love—or will soon know and love. Participants will be announced soon.
Showrunner Melinda Hsu hosts live recording of “Lead with Kindness” Vodcast featuring CAA agent Ann D. Blanchard – Showrunner/writer/producer Melinda Hsu (Nancy Drew, ) will return to the festival to host a live recording of the “Lead with Kindness” vodcast with powerhouse CAA agent Ann D. Blanchard, where the pair will explore how leading with kindness is good for the TV business, and give attendees a rare window into Hollywood workplace culture, the process of getting a show on the air, and the emotional rewards of lifting up the people you can reach, both on screen and behind the scenes.
Note: All Programming and Panelists are subject to change.
BADGES & PASSES ON SALE NOW at atxfestival.com/attend
Previously announced programming includes:
- Friday Night Lights 20th Anniversary Reunion Panel and “Texas Made Award” presented with Media for Texas
- Homicide: Life on the Street Retrospective with Tom Fontana, David Simon, and Kyle Secor
- Sweet/Vicious 10 Year Anniversary with Cast & Producers
- Inside Job: TV’s Non-Writing Producers
- A Late Night Show with Greg Iwinski Returns for Another Live Episode
- Inaugural “Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase” now accepting Open Submissions
