Closing Night Of ATX Television Festival Presented By Fx Networks Featuring “The Strain” And “Fargo”

****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****

Closing Night of ATX Television Festival presented by FX Networks

FEATURING “THE STRAIN” AND “FARGO”

“THE STRAIN” Executive Producer Carlton Cuse, Stars Sean Astin, Mia Maestro, & Kevin Durand

“FARGO” Creator Noah Hawley, Producer Warren Littlefield, & Star Allison Tolman in Attendance

Closing Night Takes Place June 7th

Austin, TX- Tuesday, April 15, 2014 – ATX Television Festival, the first festival devoted to television’s history and future, is proud to have FX Networks join them for the festival, and host Season 3’s Closing Night. Closing Night programming will feature the world premiere of the pilot episode of The Strain in addition to the premiere of the 8th episode of Fargo.

The Strain is a highly anticipated upcoming drama series from Academy AwardÂŽ nominated Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, author Chuck Hogan, and writer/producer Carlton Cuse. The ensemble cast stars Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland, and Miguel Gomez. Based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy of the same title written by del Toro and Hogan, the series will make its television premiere on FX in July 2014.

Fargo is a 10-episode limited series written by Noah Hawley, which is an original adaptation of the Academy Award®-winning feature film by the Cohen brothers. Rounding out Fargo’s colorful cast of recurring characters will be Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton as “Lorne Malvo.” Emmy® winner Bob Odenkirk as “Deputy Bill Oswalt,” Golden Globe™ and Emmy-nominated Oliver Platt as “Stavros Milos,” Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Kate Walsh as “Gina Hess,” Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as “Don Chumph,” Joey King as “Greta Grimly,” Peter Breitmayer as “Lieutenant Schmidt,” Tom Musgrave as “Bo Munk,” Josh Close as “Chazz Nygaard,” Russell Harvard as “Mr. Wrench,” Adam Goldberg as “Mr. Numbers,” Keegan-Michael Key as “Bill Budge” and Jordan Peele as “Webb Pepper.” The series premieres tomorrow night, April 15th at 10 PM ET on FX, and the eighth episode will be screened prior to its airdate at ATX Television Festival.

“We at FX Networks really respect and appreciate the independent spirit of the Festival, and what Caitlin and Emily are building, so we feel like this is the perfect year to get involved,” said Nick Grad, President of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions. “The Festival has grown each year, and it’s becoming a destination for people who appreciate good, quality television. I can’t wait to be able to screenThe Strain pilot as well as a brand new episode of Fargo. Plus, who doesn’t love Austin?”

“We could not be more thrilled to have FX Networks join us as a partner for our Closing Night presentation with two series that represent both the festival and network’s wide range of programming. In addition, to be able to showcase the work of Austinite and ATX Alum Noah Hawley, makes this evening all the more personal to us,” said Executive Directors Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson.

Reservations for Closing Night will be available to ATX Television Festival badge holders (all levels) when the full festival schedule is released. Venue is subject to capacity.

Badges to ATX Television Festival are available for purchase here. Weekend Badges are now available for $225.

ATX Television Festival is now accepting press credential applications. To register for press credentials for ATX Television Festival 2014 please send your name and outlet as well as a letter of assignment from your editor or a business card to atxfestivalpress@fonspr.com for consideration. The deadline to apply for press credentials is Friday, May 30. Please note all applications are subject to approval

For the latest developments, tickets and badges visit the ATX Television Festival official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

For co-promotion please link to @ATXFestival #Season3 on Twitter

About ATX Television Festival

Our focus is on the celebration of the television medium: looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events where attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite series to the small screen.

We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival — spotlighting classic shows, never aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits, and premieres of new series. In addition, we focus on episode screenings with Q&A’s from the cast and creators; panels focused on industry related topics like streaming and innovative outlets to continue production outside of the network/studio system; and will include parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events, and “super secret happy hours.” Ultimately, ATX has the goal of serving both the community and industry professionals equally by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

About FX Networks

FX Networks, a business unit of 21 Century Fox, is comprised of FX, FXX and FXM. Launched in June of 1994, FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel, which is carried in more than 97 million homes. Its diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas, including Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans, The Bridge and the upcoming Tyrant and The Strain; the limited series Fargo; the miniseries American Horror Story; and the acclaimed hit comedy series Louie, Archer, Chozen and the upcoming Married, You’re the Worst and The Comedians. Its library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any commercial television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management and, coming in 2014, Mike & Molly. FXM (formerly Fox Movie Channel) was launched in October of 1994 and is now carried in more than 49 million homes. Its schedule features classic films during the day, and contemporary box office hits and acclaimed, award-winning films in the evening, as well as short-form award-winning original programming. FXX launched on September 2, 2013 in 72 million homes with a schedule that features original series, movies, and acquired series. The channel is anchored by the acclaimed hit comedies It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Legit, Wilfred and the upcoming The Untitled Tracey Morgan Project. Over the next several years, FX, FXX and FXM will undergo an ambitious programming expansion, with the three networks combining to deliver more than 25 original scripted series.

About FX Productions

FX Productions (FXP) produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, Legit, Chozen, and upcoming comedies Married (June ’14), You’re the Worst (June ’14), and The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project (January ’15), and the drama series The Strain (July ‘14). FXP co-produces the award-winning hit dramas Sons of Anarchy, Justified, and The Americans, the acclaimed drama series The Bridge, and the upcoming drama Tyrant (June ‘14). FXP is also co-producing the limited series Fargo starring Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, which debuts on April 15th.