DOVER — Here are a few of the productions screening at the Independent Television and Film Festival, as provided to The Commons. A full list of selections, a schedule, and trailers for most of the offerings can be found on the ITVFest website.
24 to Score (U.S., film, comedy). Frustrated television producers David and George are on the verge of selling their first reality series to a major network. Unfortunately, the network executives have a few conditions: recast a whiter, more attractive lead; film the pilot in 24 hours; and, most importantly, keep it real. As the ragtag crew races the clock, the producers discover they are in over their heads.
According to Robert (Volgens Robert) (Netherlands, TV series, tragicomedy). In the first scene of the first episode, Dr. Robert Finkelstein's wife, Jacqueline, throws him out and quits working for him as his assistant after running his practice for over 25 years. We follow “Dr. Fink” in a mid-life crisis he doesn't quite manage to control, but that takes on different shapes due to the unremitting interference of his wife, the attentions of a young and unpredictable lover, his demanding patients, and his psychotherapist.
Akt 2 (Sweden, short film). After years apart, two people meet by accident and hide secrets from each other. The meeting leads to moments of truth in each of their lives, and illusions are shattered, the past is explained, and their lives are changed.
Ascendants (U.S., television series, drama). In the future, the discovery that some people are able to ascend to an afterlife creates a dystopia.
Between Jupiter and Mars (U.S., television/Web series). Hollywood's top agent's world is turned upside down after a chance meeting with a psychic who tells him his days as an agent are numbered. What is his true destiny? To manage and nurture the misfits of Hollywood.
Black Box (U.S., short, comedy). Aspiring actor Malcolm Smith enters the bizarre world of the small, but renowned, off-Broadway La Vida Theatre.
Boychicks (Web series). A few penniless young men dodge their post-grad reality by trying to live their own version of the “good life.” Their boundless optimism and questionable logic opens their world to a variety of wacky characters and adventures.
Called to Serve (U.S., television pilot, dramedy). We follow four Mormon missionaries with the sensibilities of 19-year-olds. Elder Hadley struggles with his faith in the church he was taught his whole life is true. Elder Bean, his companion, loves the Gospel, but has a secret weakness for women. Elder Peck is gay, in a world where his church condemns homosexuality, only to find himself paired up with Elder Stout, with whom he falls in love.
Comedienne (U.S., short, drama). Tess Clarke, a fledgling stand-up comic, travels the back roads in search of a good crowd. Guarded, yet craving to make a real connection, she finds her expectations, and the changing locales, coming up short.
Comrade Sunshine (U.S., short, documentary). Dominique Stevenson befriends Wahid Shakur, a recently released 20-year-old now working with her to help build community.
Darwin (U.S., Web series, comedy). Leo Darwin appears to have it all, this life coach's life is falling apart.
Dates Like This (U.S., Web series, comedy). A year after Meg took a chance on her 30th date, and Alicia jogged off into the sunset, both girls are ready and willing to move on to the next phase of their lives. Alicia begins to realize her post-breakup social life is in shambles, and her career prospects are equally grim. Meg's put-yourself-out-there philosophy is paying off with a new mystery romance and a hip new group of lesbian gal-pals. The two end up making major promises that will prove costly to keep.
Dick Dribble (Australia). A comedy Web series about a failed basketball player turned private eye as he sets out to stop all basketball-related crimes.