By Maria Esteves - October 15, 2008

The 4th New York Television Festival (NYTVF) Awards Ceremony was held at the New World Stages, Wednesday, September 17, 6:00 PM. 2008 NYTVF Awards presented by NYTVF, Procter & Gamble Productions, FOX Television Network and People's Choice acknowledges the best independent television pilot shows and comedy scripts. 2008 NYTVF Closing Night Premiere of HBO new animated comedy series "The Life and Times of Tim," created/written/executive produced by Steven Dildarian immediately followed the ceremony. A special Q&A session with creator/writer/executive producer Steven Dildarian preceded the 2008 NYTVF Closing Night Cocktail Reception.

Since 2005, NYTVF was founded by Terence Gray to assist and honor artists in the world of independent television as an institution and art form. NYTVF annually presents Independent Pilot Competition, panel discussions, premiere screenings, special events, awards ceremony, and gala receptions. Today, NYTVF is a valuable resource for discovery and development of new talent in television. NYTVF staff and board members are Terence Gray, Ned Canty, Michael Getto, Eben Russell, Erin Day,
Phil Thomas Digiulio, Brent Burnette, Laura Heckman, Rob Bennett, Adam
Berkowitz, Brian Cahill, Michael Davies, Donny Deutsch, Nancy Dubuc, Doug
Herzog, Richard Hofstetter, Charlie Koones, Katherine Oliver, Kevin Reilly, Ben Silverman, Cody Smith Cara Stein, Robert Thompson, and Andrea Wong.

2008 NYTVF proud sponsors are Procter & Gamble Productions, MySpaceTV.com, ABC, FOX, NBC, HBO, CBS, The Media Rights Capital,
MSN, The Hollywood Reporter, PEOPLE'S CHOICE, William Morris Agency, A&E Television Networks, SPIKE, The History Channel, Lifetime Networks, E!, Comedy Central, Bravo TV, Rainbow Media, AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE TV, TRU TV, VH1, MTV, Nickelodeon, Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, Creative Artists Agency, N.S. Bienstock Talent Agency, LOEB & LOEB, LLP, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, Minyanville, Adobe, Future Media, Mipcom, Bud Light, Wine Library TV, The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, Blip.TV, Independent Comedy Network, AFI Digital Content Lab, Mania TV, ForYourImagination.com, Stage 9 Digital Media, Next New Networks,
HungryManTV.com, Mint Digital, Welcome Mat, New York 411, Reebok Sports Club/NY, Moe Hallak Desian, Media Bytes, Key Group Worldwide, DEP, and Impulse. 

This year’s television festival included 6 premieres and 37 pilots (documentary, comedy, drama, animation, nonscripted, and family). The festival also included panel discussions (university, industry and digital days), seminars, special events, awards ceremony, and cocktail receptions.

The ceremony included 15 awards within 9 categories. The following are the various awards and their winners:

* Procter & Gamble Flying Solo Award, Hannah Friedman and Blaire Byhower.

*Best Nonscripted Pilot Host or Star, Bill Rampley for BILL RAMPLEY'S SOUTHERN COMFORT.

* Best Actress, Regina Taufen for THE KITTY LANDERS SHOW.

* Best Actor, Nick Offerman for THE DEPARTMENT. 

* Best Writing, Timothy Nash, Hayden Grubb, and Lucas Crandles for WENTWORTH AND BUXBURY.

* Best Directing, Jon Pivko for THE TRIBORO.

* Best Family Pilot, Chris Potocki, Regina Taufen, and Anna
Christopher for THE KITTY LANDERS SHOW.

* Best Animation Pilot, Miguel Martinez-Joffre for TICKLE ME SILLY.

* Best Nonscripted Pilot, Frank Mosca and Mike DeStefano for THE ROAD.

* Best Web Series Pilot, Stuart Hynson Culpepper and Karin Diann Williams for THE PRISONER.

* Best Drama Pilot, Neil Hopkins and Jamie Rosenblatt for HIT FACTOR.

* Best Comedy Pilot, Dan Levy and Steve Basilone for BELOW THE LAW.

* Outside the Box Award, Thu Tran for FOOD PARTY.

* FOX Comedy Script Award, Mike Maloney for SELLING HELL.

* People's Choice Award presented by president Fred O. Nelson,
PEOPLE'S CHOICE, to Jim Garvey for TEACHERS.