Televerse 26, a three-day Television Academy festival featuring Emmy-nominated programs, television stars, creators and industry innovators, will begin Friday in downtown Los Angeles.
The festival, presented by the organization behind the Emmy Awards, will continue through Sunday at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE. It will feature panels, screenings, conversations, interactive exhibits and other events focused on television and the entertainment industry, according to organizers.
Among the scheduled events is an “I Love Lucy” 75th anniversary script reading featuring Constance Zimmer as Lucy Ricardo, Wilson Cruz as Ricky Ricardo and Justina Machado as Ethel Mertz. The reading will be followed by a discussion about the legacy of the comedy series starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
The festival will also include an advance screening of an episode of FX’s “The Shards,” executive produced by Ryan Murphy and based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, followed by a discussion about the series’ depiction of 1980s Los Angeles.
A “Big Brother” panel will mark the reality series’ 1,000th episode, with host Julie Chen Moonves, executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan and former winner Taylor Hale scheduled to participate.
A panel on the making of “Modern Family” will feature director Michael Spiller and director of photography and director James R. Bagdonas discussing the show’s mockumentary style and other aspects of its production.
Other panels will focus on artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, costume and character design and the growing role of digital creators in nonfiction programming.
The festival’s exhibit hall will feature immersive experiences tied to Blumhouse films, the Emmy-nominated “Uncanny Alley: A New Day” and the “Fallout” franchise.