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The 14th annual SCAD TVfest took over Midtown Atlanta this week, bringing three days of star-studded panels, screenings, and industry celebrations to the Savannah College of Art and Design’s SCAD theater. Running Feb. 4–6, 2026, the festival has become one of the most anticipated television events of the year, offering fans, students, and professionals alike a front-row seat to television’s biggest names and creative minds.

One of the defining features of SCAD is its achievement awards, designed to honor outstanding contributions across the television industry. Among this year’s honorees is Quinta Brunson, creator and star of Abbott Elementary, who received the Variety Creative Showrunner Award in recognition of her innovative work in comedy and small-screen storytelling. Quinta appeared along with her co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph at the event.

A highlight for many attendees was the presentation of the Legend of Television Award to Jeff Probst, longtime host of the groundbreaking reality series Survivor. Probst’s award acknowledges his role in shaping the reality TV genre as the show approaches its milestone 50th season.

We interviewed Jeff about the legacy of Survivor backstage.

The festival also celebrated performers across genres and platforms: Ali Larter was honored with the Distinguished Performance Award for her work on Paramount+’s Landman, while Lili Reinhart received the Spotlight Award for her role in Hal & Harper. Rising talents such as Jackson White were recognized with the Rising Star Award, and beloved ensemble casts like Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke of Scrubs were honored with the Cast Award.

You can check out interview with the cast of Scrubs here:

Other awards included the Luminary Award presented to Aldis Hodge of Amazon Prime’s Cross, and the Outstanding Achievement in a Series Award for Adjoa Andoh and Golda Rosheuvel of Bridgerton. The festival also spotlighted The Pitt with an Impact Award for its culturally resonant storytelling. Black Girl Nerds’ founder/CEO Jamie Broadnax moderated the Bridgerton panel and it was provocative discussion around representation in media and some insights about season 4. We’re still hoping for that Lady Danbury spinoff!

Panels have been a cornerstone of this year’s schedule, blending fan-focused content with professional insight. Conversations have delved into topics such as showrunning, writing comedy and drama, the art of casting, and the inner workings of writers’ rooms. Specific sessions have illuminated how Hallmark finds its signature romantic voice and what it takes to build genre series like sci-fi and fantasy for modern audiences.

You can check out some of our interviews from the Hallmark panelists here:

With its blend of celebration, education, and insider access, SCAD TVfest continues to bridge the gap between industry heavyweights and the next generation of creators, all while reinforcing Atlanta’s growing status as a hub for television culture and innovation.

Be sure to head over to our YouTube channel, IG page and Threads to see all of our interview clips from SCAD TVfest.

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