Terry Crews has revealed that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine writers have thrown the Season 8 scripts "in the trash" after having lots of "deep conversations" about the Black Lives Matter movement. In an interview with Access Daily, Crews, who plays Lieutenant Terry Jeffords on the show, spoke about the impact of the Black Lives Matters movement and how it has affected future storylines on the police procedural sitcom. He admitted four episodes that were "ready to go" have now been scrapped, and that the writing team is starting over in an effort to amplify themes coming out of the movement. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2013/07/12/brooklyn-nine-nine-trailer"] "We've had a lot of somber talks about it and deep conversations and we hope through this we're going to make something that will be truly groundbreaking this year. We have an opportunity and we plan to use it in the best way possible," Crews stated. "Our showrunner Dan Goor, they had four episodes all ready to go and they just threw them in the trash. We have to start over. Right now we don't know which direction it's going to go in." "This is an opportunity right now for us all to unite and get together and understand what this is and that we have to battle this together," he added, reflecting on the broader conversation about racial equality, and calling for permanent change. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=midseason-tv-2020-34-shows-we-cant-wait-to-watch&captions=true"] Crews didn't elaborate on the storylines of the four episodes that won't make it to air, but we are expecting the full regular cast to return for Season 8, including Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Joel McKinnon Miller and Dirk Blocker. IGN stands in solidarity with the black community, and condemns racism. We encourage those reading to donate, contribute, and support Black Lives Matter and the fight for racial justice. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

The international television festival SeriesFest has revealed the winners and awards recipients of the Season 6 independent pilot competition, which celebrates innovative episodic content from creators around the world. Jurors from across the industry screened 60 pilots, selecting 35 winners that were announced at the six-day fest’s virtual closing ceremony on June 23. “We are so impressed with the storytelling that came out of these competitions,” said Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook, co-founders of SeriesFest. As a non-profit organization, SeriesFest says it “champions and empowers artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling by providing year-round opportunities for creators and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and share stories, which inspire and impact global audiences.” In addition to the winning pilots and creatives listed below, SeriesFest also announced that three series have been given a one-time financial donation from the Caz Matthews Fund, which supports diversity and the dispelling of stereotypes in storytelling. Kleiner and Westbrook added, “This community of passionate creators showcased authentic and innovative stories and characters that brought us all together in a unique way that we’ll never forget.” Here are all the winners of the SeriesFest Season 6 independent pilot competition:

WINNERS - INDEPENDENT PILOT - DRAMA

Best Pilot: Story of You

• Creator: Raleigh Cain
• Producers: Raleigh Cain, Anthony DiMieri
• Directors: Caleb Wall, Raleigh Cain
• Writer: Raleigh Cain
• Cast: Raleigh Cain, Pete Gardner, Holly Gagnier, Allie Jennings, Joseph Stromberg, Peter Murphy, Sara Silva, Laurie Cummings, Michelle Roselle, Blaine Kirk

When Jayne, a pregnant kindergarten teacher in the middle of her own affair discovers the man who raised her isn't her father, the story of her life begins to quickly unravel. Jury Statement: "The jury was impressed by the clarity of storytelling in Story of You; along with its relatable cast of characters, and plot. The pilot served its purpose, introducing us to this world, and to our main character’s central dilemma, and then threw in some extra, unexpected, twists. This was all executed at a high level, on limited resources. We’re excited to see what Raleigh Cain comes up with next!" Jury: Riva Marker (President, Nine Stories), Susan Lewis (Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Starz), Ben Travers (Deputy Editor & TV Critic, IndieWire), Miriam Mintz (VP of TV, Likely Story), Beau Swayze (Manager, Management 360), Michael Callas (Creative Executive, Fuqua Films) Isabel San Vargas (President of Production & Operations, Propagate Content), and Katie Cates (TV Literary Agent, ICM Partners)

• Best Director: Jeremy Merrifield, Super
• Honorable Mention: Rob Margolies, Immortal
• Best Writer: Max Pitagno, Distemper
• Best Actress: Raleigh Cain, Story of You
• Honorable Mention: Alison Jaye, Chosen
• Best Actor: Chiké Okonkwo, Distemper
• Honorable Mention: Jonah Beres, Super & Josh Bywater, Inferno

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE WINNERS DRAMA- ‘2020 VISIONARY AWARD’ & ‘VOICE TO WATCH AWARD’

Special Jury Prize, 2020 Visionary Award: Supplements

• Creator: Sarah Phillips
• Producers: Laetitia Leon, Sarah Phillips, Nick Batchelder, Elizabeth Izzo
• Director: Sarah Phillips
• Writer: Sarah Phillips
• Cast: Laetitia Leon, Murtaza Ali, La'Netia D. Taylor, Terrie Dreyfus, Terence Pennywell

The year is 2289 and all that’s left on Planet Earth is the domed city Old Centauri, roaming sun flares that scorch the land and the nomadic tribes that mitigate the two. Kiirke, a nomad, must travel to the city to make money to save her family. Jury Statement: This year's SeriesFest takes place during an unprecedented time for the world and for filmmaking. We are awarding Supplements the 2020 Visionary Award for recognizing the importance of an inclusive diverse ensemble to tell their story while also successfully using science fiction to articulate and force us to reflect on issues that we’re experiencing today. Jury: Riva Marker (President, Nine Stories), Susan Lewis (Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Starz), Ben Travers (Deputy Editor & TV Critic, IndieWire), Miriam Mintz (VP of TV, Likely Story), Beau Swayze (Manager, Management 360), Michael Callas (Creative Executive, Fuqua Films) Isabel San Vargas (President of Production & Operations, Propagate Content), and Katie Cates (TV Literary Agent, ICM Partners) Special Jury Prize, VOICE TO WATCH: Lauren McCann (Girl Boxer - Creator, Producer, Writer, Star)

• Creator: Lauren McCann
• Producers: Lauren McCann, Phil Newsom, Richard Adofo
• Director: Lauren McCann
• Writer: Lauren McCann
• Cast: Lauren McCann, Jack Mulcahy, David Sitler

A hard-up-single-mother and former boxer is lured by the Irish mob into an underground boxing match where questions of right and wrong are challenged when the love of family is concerned. Jury Statement: With an abundance of quality pilots and performances at SeriesFest this year, the jury felt it was important to recognize a certain filmmaker with a Special Jury Prize called the “Voice to Watch.” This recipient showed a strong creative vision and execution uncommon in a first time filmmaker. It’s a pleasure to present this year’s Voice to Watch award to Lauren McCann for her pilot Girl Boxer. Congratulations.

WINNERS - INDEPENDENT PILOT - COMEDY

Best Pilot: Everyone Together

• Creators: Jessica Kaye, Steven Klein, Kelsey Ledgin
• Producers: Katelyn Howes, Jessica Kaye, Steven Klein, Eric Ledgin
• Director: Lauren Ludwig
• Writer: Kelsey Ledgin
• Cast: Jessica Kaye, Steven Klein, Emily James, Reza Sixo Safai, Iman Nazemzadeh

Everyone Together, a comedy series, follows two dysfunctional families from different cultural backgrounds as they clash and bond over a new major family milestone each season. Jury Statement: Everyone Together delivers an honest, hilarious, and poignant look at a family at what should be a time of great joy, but in reality is a time of deep crisis. The creators, director, and cast expertly bring to life a compelling pilot story for the family unit that hooks the audience going into the series, while also introducing individual threads that hint at what’s to come for each member of this dynamic ensemble. We immediately brought these flawed and funny characters into our hearts and would be so excited to laugh and cry with them for many, many seasons.

• Best Director: Hannah Welever, Good Genes
• Best Writer: Kelsey Ledgin, Everyone Together
• Best Actress: Jacqueline Pereda, Generation Por qué?
• Best Supporting Actress: Sasha Rose, Embarrassing Parents Anonymous
• Best Actor: Ben Wood, Embarrassing Parents Anonymous
• Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Lennon, Slice

Jury: Katie Lowes (actress), Adam Shapiro (actor), Evan Shapiro (President, National Lampoon), Garret Martin (Senior Editor, Paste Magazine), Allison Wasserman (Manager in Original Programming, HBO), Jackie Sosa (VP of Development, Chelsea Handler Productions), Dade Hayes (New York Business Editor, Deadline), and Tamir Muhammad (CEO, Populace Productions)

WINNER - UNSCRIPTED

Best Unscripted: Racist Trees

• Creator: Sara Newens
• Producer: Joanna Sokolowski
• Directors: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son

Racist Trees follows the complex story behind a row of Tamarisk trees that have been the center of a long-standing battle between Black residents and the Palm Springs City Council. With conflicting reports surrounding their origin, ignored maintenance, and suppression of property values, a media firestorm propels this community into the national landscape, inciting unprecedented behavior from both sides. Jury Statement: Racist Trees is not just an arresting title, but a timely, well-crafted story illustrating how a row of trees divides Palm Springs along racial lines. Through interesting, well-shot interviews and visuals, the film deftly displays how this playground for the rich and famous marginalizes people of color by maintaining a literal, verdant barrier between communities. As our nation struggles to identify and combat institutional and systemic racism, Racist Trees uses a unique POV to highlight how property values have long term implications on communities of color. It is for these reasons, Racist Trees is the winner for Best of Unscripted. Jury: Ryan Harrington (VP of Documentary Films, National Geographic), Andy Singer (EVP TV & Digital Content, Alkemy X), Lynn Sadofsky (SVP, Programming and Development, Food Network), Travis Tammero (Agent, Media Finance, Creative Artists Agency), and Katie Neff (SVP of Development, High Noon Entertainment) Special Jury Prize, ORGANIZATION TO WATCH: One Vote At A Time

• Creators: Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker
• Producers: Saba Zerehi, Mara Tasker, Sarah Ullman
• Director: Yoko Okumura
• Writers: Yoko Okumura, Sarah Ullman
• Cast: Jennifer Carroll Foy, Josh Crandell, Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker, Jessica Pantoja, Olesia Saveleva, Kara Johnson, Kelsey Norton

On a mission to end gun violence a team of filmmakers called One Vote at a Time travels the nation to make campaign ads for underfunded and overlooked candidates. Through this lens, we gain access to the reshaping of American leadership standing up to say: Enough. Jury Statement: This pilot uniquely highlights a group of fearless female filmmakers dedicated to eradicating gun violence by creating free campaign videos for political candidates across the USA, in this most pivotal election year. The organization, One Vote at a Time, takes on the most important issues facing our country and introduces us to inspiring young candidates that will change the course of our future. The jury is proud to honor One Vote at a Time with an “Organization to Watch” Special Jury Prize.

• Best Director: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son, Racist Trees
• -Honorable Mention: Kaleb Kohart, For The Love of Craft

WINNERS - DIGITAL SHORTS

Sponsored by Fullscreen Jury: Brian Newman (Founder, Sub-Genre), Daryn Carp (Host, PeopleTVs Reality Check), Rob Yang (actor), Kuye Youngblood (Head of Development and Production, BRIC TV), Krystal Hauserman (VP, Marketing & Communications, Fullscreen) and Liz Shannon Miller (Senior TV Editor, Collider) “Best Of” Digital Short: Freeze

• Creator: Maya Albanese
• Producers: Brock Williams, Valerie Steinberg, Maya Albanese
• Director: Maya Albanese
• Writer: Maya Albanese
• Cast: Adrian Grenier, Nora Zehetner, Chris Parnell, Mindy Sterling, Rick Overton, Kel Mitchell, John Ennis, Jazzmun Crayton, C.C. Sheffield

When Joy’s fairytale romance abruptly ends on her 35th birthday, the TICK-TOCK of her biological clock becomes deafening. It coaxes her into romantic misadventures and provokes hallucinations. From dating services to fertility treatments, Freeze explores the conflicts between Joy and her own biology in an era of unparalleled female choice. Jury Statement: One of the hallmarks of great films is their ability to subtly world build in ways that allow for suspension of belief as we nestle into the story before us - something that's even harder to do in the digital shorts space. Freeze does this beautifully, finding efficient and clever ways of melding the inner anxieties and fears of its main character with the outer reality she inhabits. Imaginative writing and mindful directing mirror the non-linear and illogical times that can come with heightened emotion as executed so beautifully in Ms. Zehetner's performance and matched with the rhythm and pacing that only great editing can yield. It's also a unique and refreshing take on the age old challenge for the modern working woman begging the question - can one really have it all? - with just enough magical realism to keep the mood fluid and buoyant. Bravo! Special Jury Prize, INNOVATION AWARD: SWIPE

• Creator: Martijn Winkler
• Producer: Mandy Lim
• Director: Martijn Winkler
• Writer: Martijn Winkler
• Cast: Roy Kaneza, Mitch Wolterink, Marloes IJpelaar, Pim van Hövell, Valéry van Gorp, Anouk van Egmond

SWIPE is a seven-part drama series about the influence and unforeseen consequences of smartphones on the lives of several twentysomethings, told from the perspective of their phones. Jury Statement: Swipe immediately took us on a seamless engaging ride into the head of a young man witnessing a hit and run, telling friends, posting it, and unfolding into an extremely well executed and constructed thrilling story. All of this, through the world of a mobile phone screen, but done in a way that filled in the world beyond the screen. We got a real sense of relationships and the conflicted feelings of wanting to do the right thing, and the desire to be seen in social media. Swipe was very innovative in pulling all elements together to make us feel like it was really happening.

• Best Comedy Digital Short: AlleyWay
• Best Drama Digital Short: M
• Best Director in a Digital Short: Bridget Moloney, Blocks
• -Honorable Mention: Javier Devitt, M
• Best Writer in a Digital Short: Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black
• -Honorable Mention: Casey Skinner, Berkowitz
• Best Actor in a Digital Short: Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black
• Best Actress in a Digital Short: Nora Zehetner, Freeze
• -Honorable Mentions: Claire Coffee, Blocks & Fearn Deacon, Heart To Heart

WINNER - DIGITAL SHORTS- FULLSCREEN SELECT AWARD

Fullscreen Select Winner: Dreaming Whilst Black

• Creator/Director/Writer: Adjani Salmon
• Producers: Adjani Salmon, Laura Seixas, Max Evans, Natasha Jatania
• Cast: Adjani Salmon, Dani Moseley, Vanessa Vanderpuye

Dreaming Whilst Black is a 9-part comedy web series that follows a young, passionate, but naive filmmaker, Kwabena, who struggles to navigate between his dreams and reality. Jury Statement: The SeriesFest Fullscreen Select Award honors a digital short or series that elevates next generation talent, drives culture or social change, and brings fresh perspective to digital storytelling. Dreaming Whilst Black hits all these marks. The series is a poignant exploration of what it means to be a young Black man in a white world just trying to pursue his dream. We follow Kwabena as he makes his way through the menial (and sometimes demeaning) tasks of pursuing a career in film, faces racism, and begins to learn the tricks of the trade that he will need to make it all more bearable. Through creative storytelling and the use of fantasy sequences, we get a glimpse into Kwabena’s vision for himself, from achieving career success to having the unrestricted freedom to tell someone to F off without repercussion. Incredibly heartfelt, funny, and relatable, the series is a beautiful reminder that the struggle to find one’s way in the world - and dreaming of something bigger - is a universal condition.

WINNER - LATE NIGHT

Jury: Anna Roberts (SVP Distributions & Acquisitions, Nacelle Company), Sam Zimmerman (Director of Programming, Shudder), Laura Prudom (Editorial Manager, IGN), and Danielle Kreinik (Director of Television Development, Ubisoft), Rachel Heine (Vice President, Brand Strategy, Nerdist)

Best Series: #BlueBoar

• Creator: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Producers: Leland Montgomery, Maya Taylor, Andrew Keutmann, Christine Haggerty, Par Parekh
• Director: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Writer: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Cast: Alice Victoria Winslow

It’s the year of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Except, the internet exists, and Puritan Style Guru Sarah Winsley's online channel has made her a New World celebrity. When a panic of evil bedevils the community, Sarah can't be sure what’s ailing her—is she bewitched or is she a witch? Jury Statement: For Best of Late Night - In just 5 minutes, #BlueBoar is layered, sharp, funny and freaky. We were so thrilled to be introduced to the Sarah Winsley channel, and creator Alice Victoria Winslow’s immense talent as writer, director and star. This is the start to an inventive journey we all want to follow. Honorable Mention: Aliens

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER presented by Xfinity - INDEPENDENT PILOT (COMEDY, DRAMA, UNSCRIPTED)

Independent Pilot Audience Award: Shepherds

• Creators: Erica Bardin, Susan Graham
• Producer: Erica Bardin
• Director: Lauren Fash
• Writers: Erica Bardin, Susan Graham
• Cast: Erica Bardin, Brittany Ishibashi, Susan Graham, Chris Mulkey, Joan Severance, Ben Wickham

Shepherds is a dramedy following Madison Shepherds, an ambitious researcher grappling with an identity crisis after losing her job. Her transition from legal opioid researcher to illegal psychedelic drug dealer is set against the backdrop of political conflict between big pharma, the psychedelic research community and her own family.

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER presented by Xfinity - DIGITAL SHORT SERIES

Digital Short Series Audience Award: Early To Rise

• Creators: GEIL Comedy (Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking)
• Producers: Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking
• Director: Alec Cohen
• Writers: Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking
• Cast: Mike Cabellon, Katie Sicking, Adrien Pellerin, Brian McElhaney, Iman Richardson, Taylor Ortega, Jerah Milligan, RJ O'Brien

On the way to a distant planet, three less-than-qualified astronauts are awoken 118 years too early and trapped inside their hibernation pods. Alone in the endless void, they can't kill themselves, they can't kill each other, so they'll just have to kill time.

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER presented by Xfinity - LATE NIGHT

Late Night Audience Award: #BlueBoar

• Creator: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Producers: Leland Montgomery, Maya Taylor, Andrew Keutmann, Christine Haggerty, Par Parekh
• Director: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Writer: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Cast: Alice Victoria Winslow

It’s the year of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Except, the internet exists, and Puritan Style Guru Sarah Winsley's online channel has made her a New World celebrity. When a panic of evil bedevils the community, Sarah can't be sure what’s ailing her—is she bewitched or is she a witch?

WINNER - PITCH-A-THON

Presented by Oklahoma Film+ Music Office Panel of Experts: David Rambo (Co-Executive Producer, Empire, CSI & Revolution), Valerie Stadler (Co-Founder, Big Swing Productions), Christine Davila (Creative Executive, Stage 13), Eric Jewett (CU Denver College of Arts & Media), Ian Robertson (Unleashing Giants Studios), J.J. Green (Unleashing Giants Studios) Presented in partnership with Oklahoma Film + Music and Working Artists group, each series had five minutes to pitch followed by 7 minutes of feedback from a panel of industry panel of experts. The winner receives $500 from Oklahoma Film + Music. Pitch-A-Thon Winner: Fighting Time

• Creator: Margaret Byrne
• Producers: Margaret Byrne, Rachel Pikelny
• Director: Margaret Byrne
• Writers: Margaret Byrne, Rachel Pikelny
• Cast: Esther Hernandez, Juan Hernandez, Bill Dorsch, Johnny Flores, Demetrius Johnson

Retired detective Reynaldo Guevara stands in firm silence, accused of framing 59 people with murder. Pointing the finger, along with Guevara’s many victims, is a fellow former cop who betrays the blue code of silence, not only implicating Guevara but uncovering systemic corruption in the highest ranks of Chicago law and order. Jury Statement: “It was an honor to partner with SeriesFest for the second consecutive year to sponsor their annual Pitch-A-Thon Contest and witness a diverse line up of pitch participants, said Tava Maloy Sofsky, “Director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office. “Our office, alongside the well-rounded panel of judges, named Margaret Byrne and Rachel Pikelny 1st place winners after they delivered a fervent pitch for Fighting Time which portrays relevant issues in one city’s law enforcement system.”

Storytellers Initiative: Collegiate Writing Competition - Winner

Presented in partnership with Once Upon a Time Productions & the Anna & John J. Sie Foundation

Peach Pit - Created by Sidney Nordstrom

A comedy series about Mel, a 24-year old burnout whose morals are as lacking as her income, is presented with an opportunity to fix her financial woes, but only if she can commit one, tiny little murder…

Caz Matthews Fund 2020 Selections

Presented by the Caz Matthews Fund

Generation Por qué?

• Creator: Jacqueline Pereda
• Producers: Dana Zolli, Jacqueline Pereda
• Director: Jacqueline Pereda
• Writer: Jacqueline Pereda
• Cast: Andréa Burns, Jacqueline Pereda, Sandor Juan, Amel Khalil, Melvin Lima, Guyviad Joseph, Manny Ureña, Jared Johnston

A coming of age comedy that follows Jackie Perez, a first-generation woman pursuing her acting dreams in New York City while being the child of Cuban immigrants...who voted for Trump and live in New Jersey. She can chase her dreams...but she can't outrun her family.

One Vote At A Time

• Creators: Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker
• Producers: Saba Zerehi, Mara Tasker, Sarah Ullman
• Director: Yoko Okumura
• Writers: Yoko Okumura, Sarah Ullman
• Cast: Jennifer Carroll Foy, Josh Crandell, Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker, Jessica Pantoja, Olesia Saveleva, Kara Johnson, Kelsey Norton

On a mission to end gun violence a team of filmmakers called One Vote at a Time travels the nation to make campaign ads for underfunded and overlooked candidates. Through this lens, we gain access to the reshaping of American leadership standing up to say: Enough.

Racist Trees

• Creator: Sara Newens
• Producer: Joanna Sokolowski
• Directors: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son

Racist Trees follows the complex story behind a row of Tamarisk trees that have been the center of a long-standing battle between Black residents and the Palm Springs City Council. With conflicting reports surrounding their origin, ignored maintenance, and suppression of property values, a media firestorm propels this community into the national landscape, inciting unprecedented behavior from both sides. SeriesFest will return for Season 7 in June 2021.

The international television festival SeriesFest has revealed the winners and awards recipients of the Season 6 independent pilot competition, which celebrates innovative episodic content from creators around the world. Jurors from across the industry screened 60 pilots, selecting 35 winners that were announced at the six-day fest’s virtual closing ceremony on June 23. “We are so impressed with the storytelling that came out of these competitions,” said Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook, co-founders of SeriesFest. As a non-profit organization, SeriesFest says it “champions and empowers artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling by providing year-round opportunities for creators and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and share stories, which inspire and impact global audiences.” In addition to the winning pilots and creatives listed below, SeriesFest also announced that three series have been given a one-time financial donation from the Caz Matthews Fund, which supports diversity and the dispelling of stereotypes in storytelling. Kleiner and Westbrook added, “This community of passionate creators showcased authentic and innovative stories and characters that brought us all together in a unique way that we’ll never forget.” Here are all the winners of the SeriesFest Season 6 independent pilot competition:

WINNERS - INDEPENDENT PILOT - DRAMA

Best Pilot: Story of You

• Creator: Raleigh Cain
• Producers: Raleigh Cain, Anthony DiMieri
• Directors: Caleb Wall, Raleigh Cain
• Writer: Raleigh Cain
• Cast: Raleigh Cain, Pete Gardner, Holly Gagnier, Allie Jennings, Joseph Stromberg, Peter Murphy, Sara Silva, Laurie Cummings, Michelle Roselle, Blaine Kirk

When Jayne, a pregnant kindergarten teacher in the middle of her own affair discovers the man who raised her isn't her father, the story of her life begins to quickly unravel. Jury Statement: "The jury was impressed by the clarity of storytelling in Story of You; along with its relatable cast of characters, and plot. The pilot served its purpose, introducing us to this world, and to our main character’s central dilemma, and then threw in some extra, unexpected, twists. This was all executed at a high level, on limited resources. We’re excited to see what Raleigh Cain comes up with next!" Jury: Riva Marker (President, Nine Stories), Susan Lewis (Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Starz), Ben Travers (Deputy Editor & TV Critic, IndieWire), Miriam Mintz (VP of TV, Likely Story), Beau Swayze (Manager, Management 360), Michael Callas (Creative Executive, Fuqua Films) Isabel San Vargas (President of Production & Operations, Propagate Content), and Katie Cates (TV Literary Agent, ICM Partners)

• Best Director: Jeremy Merrifield, Super
• Honorable Mention: Rob Margolies, Immortal
• Best Writer: Max Pitagno, Distemper
• Best Actress: Raleigh Cain, Story of You
• Honorable Mention: Alison Jaye, Chosen
• Best Actor: Chiké Okonkwo, Distemper
• Honorable Mention: Jonah Beres, Super & Josh Bywater, Inferno

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE WINNERS DRAMA- ‘2020 VISIONARY AWARD’ & ‘VOICE TO WATCH AWARD’

Special Jury Prize, 2020 Visionary Award: Supplements

• Creator: Sarah Phillips
• Producers: Laetitia Leon, Sarah Phillips, Nick Batchelder, Elizabeth Izzo
• Director: Sarah Phillips
• Writer: Sarah Phillips
• Cast: Laetitia Leon, Murtaza Ali, La'Netia D. Taylor, Terrie Dreyfus, Terence Pennywell

The year is 2289 and all that’s left on Planet Earth is the domed city Old Centauri, roaming sun flares that scorch the land and the nomadic tribes that mitigate the two. Kiirke, a nomad, must travel to the city to make money to save her family. Jury Statement: This year's SeriesFest takes place during an unprecedented time for the world and for filmmaking. We are awarding Supplements the 2020 Visionary Award for recognizing the importance of an inclusive diverse ensemble to tell their story while also successfully using science fiction to articulate and force us to reflect on issues that we’re experiencing today. Jury: Riva Marker (President, Nine Stories), Susan Lewis (Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Starz), Ben Travers (Deputy Editor & TV Critic, IndieWire), Miriam Mintz (VP of TV, Likely Story), Beau Swayze (Manager, Management 360), Michael Callas (Creative Executive, Fuqua Films) Isabel San Vargas (President of Production & Operations, Propagate Content), and Katie Cates (TV Literary Agent, ICM Partners) Special Jury Prize, VOICE TO WATCH: Lauren McCann (Girl Boxer - Creator, Producer, Writer, Star)

• Creator: Lauren McCann
• Producers: Lauren McCann, Phil Newsom, Richard Adofo
• Director: Lauren McCann
• Writer: Lauren McCann
• Cast: Lauren McCann, Jack Mulcahy, David Sitler

A hard-up-single-mother and former boxer is lured by the Irish mob into an underground boxing match where questions of right and wrong are challenged when the love of family is concerned. Jury Statement: With an abundance of quality pilots and performances at SeriesFest this year, the jury felt it was important to recognize a certain filmmaker with a Special Jury Prize called the “Voice to Watch.” This recipient showed a strong creative vision and execution uncommon in a first time filmmaker. It’s a pleasure to present this year’s Voice to Watch award to Lauren McCann for her pilot Girl Boxer. Congratulations.

WINNERS - INDEPENDENT PILOT - COMEDY

Best Pilot: Everyone Together

• Creators: Jessica Kaye, Steven Klein, Kelsey Ledgin
• Producers: Katelyn Howes, Jessica Kaye, Steven Klein, Eric Ledgin
• Director: Lauren Ludwig
• Writer: Kelsey Ledgin
• Cast: Jessica Kaye, Steven Klein, Emily James, Reza Sixo Safai, Iman Nazemzadeh

Everyone Together, a comedy series, follows two dysfunctional families from different cultural backgrounds as they clash and bond over a new major family milestone each season. Jury Statement: Everyone Together delivers an honest, hilarious, and poignant look at a family at what should be a time of great joy, but in reality is a time of deep crisis. The creators, director, and cast expertly bring to life a compelling pilot story for the family unit that hooks the audience going into the series, while also introducing individual threads that hint at what’s to come for each member of this dynamic ensemble. We immediately brought these flawed and funny characters into our hearts and would be so excited to laugh and cry with them for many, many seasons.

• Best Director: Hannah Welever, Good Genes
• Best Writer: Kelsey Ledgin, Everyone Together
• Best Actress: Jacqueline Pereda, Generation Por qué?
• Best Supporting Actress: Sasha Rose, Embarrassing Parents Anonymous
• Best Actor: Ben Wood, Embarrassing Parents Anonymous
• Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Lennon, Slice

Jury: Katie Lowes (actress), Adam Shapiro (actor), Evan Shapiro (President, National Lampoon), Garret Martin (Senior Editor, Paste Magazine), Allison Wasserman (Manager in Original Programming, HBO), Jackie Sosa (VP of Development, Chelsea Handler Productions), Dade Hayes (New York Business Editor, Deadline), and Tamir Muhammad (CEO, Populace Productions)

WINNER - UNSCRIPTED

Best Unscripted: Racist Trees

• Creator: Sara Newens
• Producer: Joanna Sokolowski
• Directors: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son

Racist Trees follows the complex story behind a row of Tamarisk trees that have been the center of a long-standing battle between Black residents and the Palm Springs City Council. With conflicting reports surrounding their origin, ignored maintenance, and suppression of property values, a media firestorm propels this community into the national landscape, inciting unprecedented behavior from both sides. Jury Statement: Racist Trees is not just an arresting title, but a timely, well-crafted story illustrating how a row of trees divides Palm Springs along racial lines. Through interesting, well-shot interviews and visuals, the film deftly displays how this playground for the rich and famous marginalizes people of color by maintaining a literal, verdant barrier between communities. As our nation struggles to identify and combat institutional and systemic racism, Racist Trees uses a unique POV to highlight how property values have long term implications on communities of color. It is for these reasons, Racist Trees is the winner for Best of Unscripted. Jury: Ryan Harrington (VP of Documentary Films, National Geographic), Andy Singer (EVP TV & Digital Content, Alkemy X), Lynn Sadofsky (SVP, Programming and Development, Food Network), Travis Tammero (Agent, Media Finance, Creative Artists Agency), and Katie Neff (SVP of Development, High Noon Entertainment) Special Jury Prize, ORGANIZATION TO WATCH: One Vote At A Time

• Creators: Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker
• Producers: Saba Zerehi, Mara Tasker, Sarah Ullman
• Director: Yoko Okumura
• Writers: Yoko Okumura, Sarah Ullman
• Cast: Jennifer Carroll Foy, Josh Crandell, Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker, Jessica Pantoja, Olesia Saveleva, Kara Johnson, Kelsey Norton

On a mission to end gun violence a team of filmmakers called One Vote at a Time travels the nation to make campaign ads for underfunded and overlooked candidates. Through this lens, we gain access to the reshaping of American leadership standing up to say: Enough. Jury Statement: This pilot uniquely highlights a group of fearless female filmmakers dedicated to eradicating gun violence by creating free campaign videos for political candidates across the USA, in this most pivotal election year. The organization, One Vote at a Time, takes on the most important issues facing our country and introduces us to inspiring young candidates that will change the course of our future. The jury is proud to honor One Vote at a Time with an “Organization to Watch” Special Jury Prize.

• Best Director: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son, Racist Trees
• -Honorable Mention: Kaleb Kohart, For The Love of Craft

WINNERS - DIGITAL SHORTS

Sponsored by Fullscreen Jury: Brian Newman (Founder, Sub-Genre), Daryn Carp (Host, PeopleTVs Reality Check), Rob Yang (actor), Kuye Youngblood (Head of Development and Production, BRIC TV), Krystal Hauserman (VP, Marketing & Communications, Fullscreen) and Liz Shannon Miller (Senior TV Editor, Collider) “Best Of” Digital Short: Freeze

• Creator: Maya Albanese
• Producers: Brock Williams, Valerie Steinberg, Maya Albanese
• Director: Maya Albanese
• Writer: Maya Albanese
• Cast: Adrian Grenier, Nora Zehetner, Chris Parnell, Mindy Sterling, Rick Overton, Kel Mitchell, John Ennis, Jazzmun Crayton, C.C. Sheffield

When Joy’s fairytale romance abruptly ends on her 35th birthday, the TICK-TOCK of her biological clock becomes deafening. It coaxes her into romantic misadventures and provokes hallucinations. From dating services to fertility treatments, Freeze explores the conflicts between Joy and her own biology in an era of unparalleled female choice. Jury Statement: One of the hallmarks of great films is their ability to subtly world build in ways that allow for suspension of belief as we nestle into the story before us - something that's even harder to do in the digital shorts space. Freeze does this beautifully, finding efficient and clever ways of melding the inner anxieties and fears of its main character with the outer reality she inhabits. Imaginative writing and mindful directing mirror the non-linear and illogical times that can come with heightened emotion as executed so beautifully in Ms. Zehetner's performance and matched with the rhythm and pacing that only great editing can yield. It's also a unique and refreshing take on the age old challenge for the modern working woman begging the question - can one really have it all? - with just enough magical realism to keep the mood fluid and buoyant. Bravo! Special Jury Prize, INNOVATION AWARD: SWIPE

• Creator: Martijn Winkler
• Producer: Mandy Lim
• Director: Martijn Winkler
• Writer: Martijn Winkler
• Cast: Roy Kaneza, Mitch Wolterink, Marloes IJpelaar, Pim van Hövell, Valéry van Gorp, Anouk van Egmond

SWIPE is a seven-part drama series about the influence and unforeseen consequences of smartphones on the lives of several twentysomethings, told from the perspective of their phones. Jury Statement: Swipe immediately took us on a seamless engaging ride into the head of a young man witnessing a hit and run, telling friends, posting it, and unfolding into an extremely well executed and constructed thrilling story. All of this, through the world of a mobile phone screen, but done in a way that filled in the world beyond the screen. We got a real sense of relationships and the conflicted feelings of wanting to do the right thing, and the desire to be seen in social media. Swipe was very innovative in pulling all elements together to make us feel like it was really happening.

• Best Comedy Digital Short: AlleyWay
• Best Drama Digital Short: M
• Best Director in a Digital Short: Bridget Moloney, Blocks
• -Honorable Mention: Javier Devitt, M
• Best Writer in a Digital Short: Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black
• -Honorable Mention: Casey Skinner, Berkowitz
• Best Actor in a Digital Short: Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black
• Best Actress in a Digital Short: Nora Zehetner, Freeze
• -Honorable Mentions: Claire Coffee, Blocks & Fearn Deacon, Heart To Heart

WINNER - DIGITAL SHORTS- FULLSCREEN SELECT AWARD

Fullscreen Select Winner: Dreaming Whilst Black

• Creator/Director/Writer: Adjani Salmon
• Producers: Adjani Salmon, Laura Seixas, Max Evans, Natasha Jatania
• Cast: Adjani Salmon, Dani Moseley, Vanessa Vanderpuye

Dreaming Whilst Black is a 9-part comedy web series that follows a young, passionate, but naive filmmaker, Kwabena, who struggles to navigate between his dreams and reality. Jury Statement: The SeriesFest Fullscreen Select Award honors a digital short or series that elevates next generation talent, drives culture or social change, and brings fresh perspective to digital storytelling. Dreaming Whilst Black hits all these marks. The series is a poignant exploration of what it means to be a young Black man in a white world just trying to pursue his dream. We follow Kwabena as he makes his way through the menial (and sometimes demeaning) tasks of pursuing a career in film, faces racism, and begins to learn the tricks of the trade that he will need to make it all more bearable. Through creative storytelling and the use of fantasy sequences, we get a glimpse into Kwabena’s vision for himself, from achieving career success to having the unrestricted freedom to tell someone to F off without repercussion. Incredibly heartfelt, funny, and relatable, the series is a beautiful reminder that the struggle to find one’s way in the world - and dreaming of something bigger - is a universal condition.

WINNER - LATE NIGHT

Jury: Anna Roberts (SVP Distributions & Acquisitions, Nacelle Company), Sam Zimmerman (Director of Programming, Shudder), Laura Prudom (Editorial Manager, IGN), and Danielle Kreinik (Director of Television Development, Ubisoft), Rachel Heine (Vice President, Brand Strategy, Nerdist)

Best Series: #BlueBoar

• Creator: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Producers: Leland Montgomery, Maya Taylor, Andrew Keutmann, Christine Haggerty, Par Parekh
• Director: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Writer: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Cast: Alice Victoria Winslow

It’s the year of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Except, the internet exists, and Puritan Style Guru Sarah Winsley's online channel has made her a New World celebrity. When a panic of evil bedevils the community, Sarah can't be sure what’s ailing her—is she bewitched or is she a witch? Jury Statement: For Best of Late Night - In just 5 minutes, #BlueBoar is layered, sharp, funny and freaky. We were so thrilled to be introduced to the Sarah Winsley channel, and creator Alice Victoria Winslow’s immense talent as writer, director and star. This is the start to an inventive journey we all want to follow. Honorable Mention: Aliens

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER presented by Xfinity - INDEPENDENT PILOT (COMEDY, DRAMA, UNSCRIPTED)

Independent Pilot Audience Award: Shepherds

• Creators: Erica Bardin, Susan Graham
• Producer: Erica Bardin
• Director: Lauren Fash
• Writers: Erica Bardin, Susan Graham
• Cast: Erica Bardin, Brittany Ishibashi, Susan Graham, Chris Mulkey, Joan Severance, Ben Wickham

Shepherds is a dramedy following Madison Shepherds, an ambitious researcher grappling with an identity crisis after losing her job. Her transition from legal opioid researcher to illegal psychedelic drug dealer is set against the backdrop of political conflict between big pharma, the psychedelic research community and her own family.

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER presented by Xfinity - DIGITAL SHORT SERIES

Digital Short Series Audience Award: Early To Rise

• Creators: GEIL Comedy (Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking)
• Producers: Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking
• Director: Alec Cohen
• Writers: Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking
• Cast: Mike Cabellon, Katie Sicking, Adrien Pellerin, Brian McElhaney, Iman Richardson, Taylor Ortega, Jerah Milligan, RJ O'Brien

On the way to a distant planet, three less-than-qualified astronauts are awoken 118 years too early and trapped inside their hibernation pods. Alone in the endless void, they can't kill themselves, they can't kill each other, so they'll just have to kill time.

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER presented by Xfinity - LATE NIGHT

Late Night Audience Award: #BlueBoar

• Creator: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Producers: Leland Montgomery, Maya Taylor, Andrew Keutmann, Christine Haggerty, Par Parekh
• Director: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Writer: Alice Victoria Winslow
• Cast: Alice Victoria Winslow

It’s the year of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Except, the internet exists, and Puritan Style Guru Sarah Winsley's online channel has made her a New World celebrity. When a panic of evil bedevils the community, Sarah can't be sure what’s ailing her—is she bewitched or is she a witch?

WINNER - PITCH-A-THON

Presented by Oklahoma Film+ Music Office Panel of Experts: David Rambo (Co-Executive Producer, Empire, CSI & Revolution), Valerie Stadler (Co-Founder, Big Swing Productions), Christine Davila (Creative Executive, Stage 13), Eric Jewett (CU Denver College of Arts & Media), Ian Robertson (Unleashing Giants Studios), J.J. Green (Unleashing Giants Studios) Presented in partnership with Oklahoma Film + Music and Working Artists group, each series had five minutes to pitch followed by 7 minutes of feedback from a panel of industry panel of experts. The winner receives $500 from Oklahoma Film + Music. Pitch-A-Thon Winner: Fighting Time

• Creator: Margaret Byrne
• Producers: Margaret Byrne, Rachel Pikelny
• Director: Margaret Byrne
• Writers: Margaret Byrne, Rachel Pikelny
• Cast: Esther Hernandez, Juan Hernandez, Bill Dorsch, Johnny Flores, Demetrius Johnson

Retired detective Reynaldo Guevara stands in firm silence, accused of framing 59 people with murder. Pointing the finger, along with Guevara’s many victims, is a fellow former cop who betrays the blue code of silence, not only implicating Guevara but uncovering systemic corruption in the highest ranks of Chicago law and order. Jury Statement: “It was an honor to partner with SeriesFest for the second consecutive year to sponsor their annual Pitch-A-Thon Contest and witness a diverse line up of pitch participants, said Tava Maloy Sofsky, “Director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office. “Our office, alongside the well-rounded panel of judges, named Margaret Byrne and Rachel Pikelny 1st place winners after they delivered a fervent pitch for Fighting Time which portrays relevant issues in one city’s law enforcement system.”

Storytellers Initiative: Collegiate Writing Competition - Winner

Presented in partnership with Once Upon a Time Productions & the Anna & John J. Sie Foundation

Peach Pit - Created by Sidney Nordstrom

A comedy series about Mel, a 24-year old burnout whose morals are as lacking as her income, is presented with an opportunity to fix her financial woes, but only if she can commit one, tiny little murder…

Caz Matthews Fund 2020 Selections

Presented by the Caz Matthews Fund

Generation Por qué?

• Creator: Jacqueline Pereda
• Producers: Dana Zolli, Jacqueline Pereda
• Director: Jacqueline Pereda
• Writer: Jacqueline Pereda
• Cast: Andréa Burns, Jacqueline Pereda, Sandor Juan, Amel Khalil, Melvin Lima, Guyviad Joseph, Manny Ureña, Jared Johnston

A coming of age comedy that follows Jackie Perez, a first-generation woman pursuing her acting dreams in New York City while being the child of Cuban immigrants...who voted for Trump and live in New Jersey. She can chase her dreams...but she can't outrun her family.

One Vote At A Time

• Creators: Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker
• Producers: Saba Zerehi, Mara Tasker, Sarah Ullman
• Director: Yoko Okumura
• Writers: Yoko Okumura, Sarah Ullman
• Cast: Jennifer Carroll Foy, Josh Crandell, Sarah Ullman, Mara Tasker, Jessica Pantoja, Olesia Saveleva, Kara Johnson, Kelsey Norton

On a mission to end gun violence a team of filmmakers called One Vote at a Time travels the nation to make campaign ads for underfunded and overlooked candidates. Through this lens, we gain access to the reshaping of American leadership standing up to say: Enough.

Racist Trees

• Creator: Sara Newens
• Producer: Joanna Sokolowski
• Directors: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son

Racist Trees follows the complex story behind a row of Tamarisk trees that have been the center of a long-standing battle between Black residents and the Palm Springs City Council. With conflicting reports surrounding their origin, ignored maintenance, and suppression of property values, a media firestorm propels this community into the national landscape, inciting unprecedented behavior from both sides. SeriesFest will return for Season 7 in June 2021.

Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are ready to show off more of Marvel’s Avengers on June 24 with a special livestream dubbed the “War Table.” The developers are promising to show new gameplay as part of the show. You can watch the Marvel’s Avengers War Table on Wednesday, June 24 starting at 10 am PST/1 pm EST. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/30/marvels-avengers-game-overview-trailer"]

Where to Watch Marvel’s Avengers War Table Livestream

Here’s where you can watch the Avengers livestream across different IGN channels.  

• • IGN.com (homepage)
  • IGN's Facebook Channel
  • IGN’s Twitter
  • IGN's Twitch Channel
  • IGN’s Youtube Channel
  • IGN's TikTok
  • IGN's Mixer
  • IGN's iOS App
  • IGN's Android App
  • IGN's PlayStation 4 App
  • IGN's Xbox One App
  • Roku
  • IGN App for Android TV
  • IGN for Amazon Fire TV
  • Apple TV
  • IGN 1 on Samsung TV Plus

  Marvel’s Avengers is an upcoming video game developed by Crystal Dynamics based on Marvel’s popular superhero team. After an incident in which the Avengers are blamed and labeled as enemies, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel has to get the team back together for a new threat.

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Marvel’s Avengers was originally slated to be released on May 15, 2020 before getting delayed to September 4, 2020. There will be both a co-op and single-player campaign for Avengers, and players will be able to customize characters like Captain America and Iron Man with unique loadouts and abilities. Check out IGN’s Avengers preview and check back tomorrow for full coverage on the Avengers War Table. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are ready to show off more of Marvel’s Avengers on June 24 with a special livestream dubbed the “War Table.” The developers are promising to show new gameplay as part of the show. You can watch the Marvel’s Avengers War Table on Wednesday, June 24 starting at 10 am PST/1 pm EST/6 pm BST. Tune in 15 minutes before and immediately after for our pre- and post-show where you can hear our thoughts and impressions. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/10/ign-summer-of-gaming-live"] Hey! We’re going to be collecting YOUR video comments for our Summer of Gaming coverage. Head over to this How-To article and tell us what you’re most excited about, share predictions, and post-reveal reactions. If you’re lucky, your Yap may be played live, on-air!

Where to Watch Marvel’s Avengers War Table Livestream

You can watch the livestream here or on one of the many IGN channels we have across many platforms. Here’s a list of place you can watch the Marvel's Avengers livestream:

• IGN.com (homepage)
• IGN's Facebook Channel
• IGN’s Twitter
• IGN's Twitch Channel
• IGN’s Youtube Channel
• IGN's TikTok
• IGN's Mixer
• IGN's iOS App
• IGN's Android App
• IGN's PlayStation 4 App
• IGN's Xbox One App
• Roku
• IGN App for Android TV
• IGN for Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• IGN 1 on Samsung TV Plus

Marvel’s Avengers is an upcoming video game developed by Crystal Dynamics based on Marvel’s popular superhero team. After an incident in which the Avengers are blamed and labeled as enemies, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel has to get the team back together for a new threat. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-a-day-gameplay-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"] Marvel’s Avengers was originally slated to be released on May 15, 2020 before getting delayed to September 4, 2020. There will be both a co-op and single-player campaign for Avengers, and players will be able to customize characters like Captain America and Iron Man with unique loadouts and abilities. Check out IGN’s Avengers preview and check back tomorrow for full coverage on the Avengers War Table. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

No More Heroes 3 is scheduled to be released sometime in 2020 and today series director Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda shared the first gameplay footage for the upcoming game. Sort of. It was mostly covered by his head. The New Game Plus Expo premiered this morning, showcasing some upcoming games from primarily Japanese developers. Suda was the first presenter during the Expo and set the stage for a new No More Heroes 3 reveal. Instead, he began speaking about the Switch games he planned on playing during social isolation. Meanwhile, in the background, a video of No More Heroes 3 gameplay was shown. Most of it was obscured by Suda as he continued to not say anything about the anticipated sequel. You can watch the obscured gameplay here. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/13/no-more-heroes-3-the-return-trailer"] Suda is known for his eccentric game reveals and blocking a first-look at his upcoming game is certainly one way to play a prank on viewers. No More Heroes 3 didn’t reappear during the stream, so the opening moments blocked by Suda’s head are the only glimpse viewers got of new footage. While a lot of it was blocked off, you can make out some portions of the gameplay. It showed protagonist Travis Touchdown fighting some kind of robot enemy, potentially a boss given what looks to be a health bar for the enemy. But it’s hard to say for sure. Other reveals from today’s New Game Plus Expo included a Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 announcement. The last No More Heroes game was the spinoff Travis Strikes Again released for the Nintendo Switch. The ending of that game included a small teaser for No More Heroes 3. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

No More Heroes 3 is scheduled to be released sometime in 2020 and today series director Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda shared the first gameplay footage for the upcoming game. Sort of. It was mostly covered by his head. The New Game Plus Expo premiered this morning, showcasing some upcoming games from primarily Japanese developers. Suda was the first presenter during the Expo and set the stage for a new No More Heroes 3 reveal. Instead, he began speaking about the Switch games he planned on playing during social isolation. Meanwhile, in the background, a video of No More Heroes 3 gameplay was shown. Most of it was obscured by Suda as he continued to not say anything about the anticipated sequel. You can watch the obscured gameplay here. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/13/no-more-heroes-3-the-return-trailer"] Suda is known for his eccentric game reveals and blocking a first-look at his upcoming game is certainly one way to play a prank on viewers. No More Heroes 3 didn’t reappear during the stream, so the opening moments blocked by Suda’s head are the only glimpse viewers got of new footage. While a lot of it was blocked off, you can make out some portions of the gameplay. It showed protagonist Travis Touchdown fighting some kind of robot enemy, potentially a boss given what looks to be a health bar for the enemy. But it’s hard to say for sure. Other reveals from today’s New Game Plus Expo included a Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 announcement. The last No More Heroes game was the spinoff Travis Strikes Again released for the Nintendo Switch. The ending of that game included a small teaser for No More Heroes 3. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

After many years worth of comments from fans asking “where’s Skate 4?” EA has announced a follow-up to its venerated skateboard sim franchise. But according to EA CEO Andrew Wilson the decision to bring back Skate wasn’t just because of the comment alone, but also because EA sees an opportunity to integrate modern trends like “user-generated content.” During a fireside chat with investors on Monday, Wilson spoke about the surprise Skate announcement during the EA Play Live event last week. He revealed that the announcement broke EA’s Twitter engagement record, showcasing the enthusiasm from fans for a new Skate game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/19/untitled-skate-game-announcement-trailer-ea-play-2020"] “You take a game like Skate, and while skateboarding in and of itself has tremendous appeal to a huge, global audience, there’s another secular trend that’s happening inside our industry around user-generated content, open-world, and interaction,” Wilson said. Wilson shared a story about skateboarder Nyjah Huston who started as a skateboarder but now has a brand that includes fashion and art. “So for many people, you think about skating as a starting point that has appeal, but you start to build in user-generated content, exploration, and community on top of that and that expands the opportunity exponentially.” While the new Skate is still “very early” in development, Wilson’s comments highlight some potential directions for the new Skate title. Players can likely expect customization options and possibly a chance to fill the open-world with user-generated content. EA didn’t release a trailer for the new Skate, instead, EA presented series producers Deran Chung and Chris ‘Cuz’ Parry to announce that development has started. Other announcements from EA Play include in-depth gameplay reveal for Star Wars: Squadrons and a teaser for next-gen games. EA also announced seven games for the Nintendo Switch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

After many years worth of comments from fans asking “where’s Skate 4?” EA has announced a follow-up to its venerated skateboard sim franchise. But according to EA CEO Andrew Wilson the decision to bring back Skate wasn’t just because of the comment alone, but also because EA sees an opportunity to integrate modern trends like “user-generated content.” During a fireside chat with investors on Monday, Wilson spoke about the surprise Skate announcement during the EA Play Live event last week. He revealed that the announcement broke EA’s Twitter engagement record, showcasing the enthusiasm from fans for a new Skate game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/19/untitled-skate-game-announcement-trailer-ea-play-2020"] “You take a game like Skate, and while skateboarding in and of itself has tremendous appeal to a huge, global audience, there’s another secular trend that’s happening inside our industry around user-generated content, open-world, and interaction,” Wilson said. Wilson shared a story about skateboarder Nyjah Huston who started as a skateboarder but now has a brand that includes fashion and art. “So for many people, you think about skating as a starting point that has appeal, but you start to build in user-generated content, exploration, and community on top of that and that expands the opportunity exponentially.” While the new Skate is still “very early” in development, Wilson’s comments highlight some potential directions for the new Skate title. Players can likely expect customization options and possibly a chance to fill the open-world with user-generated content. EA didn’t release a trailer for the new Skate, instead, EA presented series producers Deran Chung and Chris ‘Cuz’ Parry to announce that development has started. Other announcements from EA Play include in-depth gameplay reveal for Star Wars: Squadrons and a teaser for next-gen games. EA also announced seven games for the Nintendo Switch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Marvel's Avengers aired its War Table stream today, covering everything from the game's story, its heroes and villains, customisation, the difference between single player and multiplayer missions, and more. Many of those details have been revealed previously (although this is our best public look at them yet), but there were a number of announcements in the stream that we hadn't heard before. Here's the 38 we spotted (and a couple of new questions we have): [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/marvels-avengers-new-story-trailer-modok-reveal"]

Marvel's Avengers Story

• We've heard previously that new heroes and playable regions would be provided for free, but today's showcase confirmed that new story sections would be added to the game at no cost after launch.
• In terms of the launch game's story, the showcase revealed a little more about what happens after the disastrous events of A-Day, which ends with San Francisco under quarantine after the release of Terrigen mists, transforming some victims into Inhumans.
• Those victims include Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM) co-founder George Tarleton.
• At some point, AIM becomes more powerful, seemingly even taking over the Stark Tower premises.
• Tarleton begins changing visually, eventually becoming the supervillain known as MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing).
• Using public anger at The Avengers, who were blamed for A-Day, Tarleton begins imprisoning other Inhumans under the guise of finding a cure for the condition.
• In fact, he's harvesting their powers for use in the Adaptoid robot army under his control.
• MODOK's end goal is rid the Earth of superpowered individuals altogether, seemingly including himself.
• Another Terrigen victim, Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) seemingly discovers her powers while fighting back against bullies at the Captain America A-Day memorial statue.
• Kamala uncovers evidence of AIM's Inhuman experimentation conspiracy, and how Captain America was purposely locked in the Chimera reactor, causing his seeming death. She takes the information to Bruce Banner, who in turn shows it to Tony Stark.
• At some point, Kamala is captured by Tarleton. She rejects his offer of 'help' for her Inhuman condition, and escapes using her new powers.
• An early Thor story mission, 'Once An Avenger' revolves around Thor's return to the Avengers (after going by the alias Donald Blake) - at this point, he doesn't know who Kamala is.
• The mission seemingly revolves around the damaged Chimera helicarrier being flown out of San Francisco, presumably to its landing site, where it's used as a base of operations for the rest of the game.

Marvel Avengers Combat

• That Thor story mission also revealed a number of Thor's abilities, which are based in part on Jason Aaron’s run on The Mighty Thor series.
• Thor's ultimate ability calls in the Bifrost to deal huge damage, as well as leave residual AoE effects where it strikes.
• In co-op, players can work together to perform Team Finisher moves. Large enemies have a stun meter, which, when depleted, lets two characters perform a unique action.
• Skill trees allow base abiliteis to be modified for different playstyles. For instance, Thor's Tornado Throw ability can be modified to either allow it to create lightning explosions where it strikes, or can be turned into a manual targeting move that hits multiple enemies, but can no longer pin them to walls.
• Skill points earned in all mission types let you unlock new moves, new combos, and new versions of existing moves.
• Skills trees are split into Melee, Ranged, Intrinsic Ability and Intrinsic Overcharge sections.
• Skills can also be augmented by your equipment, which can add various effects, such as special damage types like Plasma or Gamma (which also change how the attacks look).
• You can also inflict status effects, including Shrink, which makes affected enemies weaker (and really cute and little).
• Enemies can also seemingly use status effects - we see what seems to be a freeze effect from a staff-wielding Adaptoid.
• We also see certain enemies using bubble shields, which force you into close combat.
• We briefly see Kamala's embiggening powers being used for platforming as well as fighting.

Marvel's Avengers Hero Customisation

• New looks at hero customisation menus showed brief glimpses at the "dozens" of costumes Crystal Dynamics promises for each hero.
• You can earn cosmetics either by completing missions, decoding patterns (which appear to be this game's take on Destiny's Engrams) or purchasing them.
• 'Iconic' costumes can only be unlocked by completing Iconic mission chains in-game.
• Other customisation options include CoD-like nameplates with comic book art, and emotes (which include Hulk sniffing his armpits).
• Of the suits we're shown, Iron Man has the most notable number, including Original Sin Iron Man, a StarkTech Suit based on the Bleeding Edge Armour, several versions of his improvised Mark 1 armour, what seems to be an unpainted version of his modern suit, and a bizarre, seemingly unfinished version of the suit with a police-like helmet.
• The trailer also confirms that Hulkbuster Iron Man armour will be available at some point.
• Thor can wear his Donald Blake alias casualwear, complete with a "Hello My Name Is D. Blake" sticker.
• At the end of the trailer, we see a line-up of the five core Avengers in what seem to be all-new outfits. They may well be based on Iron Man tech, as we see a glimpse of what seems to be an Arc Reactor on Hulk's waistband.
• Gain reputation with the game's Factions can also offer you new vendors, offering more powerful items, and new challenges to take on.

Marvel's Avengers Characters

• Speaking of Factions, they include the Inhuman Alliance, and members of SHIELD, including Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, Alisandra Morales, and Sidney “Gaffer” Levine.
• SHIELD's Chastity McBryde is also the in-game cosmetics vendor.
• Jarvis, Maria Hill, Hank Pym are all mission givers in the game.
• We saw a variety of unnamed Inhumans in the course of the showcase including those with powers of replication, electrical and flame generation.
• Non-supervillain enemies include a variety of robotic threats, including hand-to-hand melee, staff, and dual blades for melee, as well as rifle toting humanoids, and various mechs.

...And a Couple of Things We Don't Know

• Crystal Dynamics makes clear that George Tarleton - who becomes MODOK - is a victim of the Terrigen mist poisoning, seemingly kickstarting his villainous plans. Does that imply that there's a separate supervillain behind the A-Day attack, or was Tarleton caught in the crossfire of his own scheme?
• The showcase ends by saying that the AIM story and the Avengers reassembling are just the beginning of the story. Is that a reference to future content updates for the game, or is there more to this story than we know so far?

The War Table stream is a part of our Summer of Gaming showcase - and if you've come straight here from the show, you should stay tuned, because we're following it up with another day of exclusive announcements. All month, we're supporting some incredibly important causes – the World Health Organisation and The Bail Project – if you are able, help us support them too at donate.ign.com. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.