Samsung, NYTVF Reveal Finalists of Second Screen Storytellers Contest

Content creators to vie for $300,000 in funds; Live Pitch Event on Oct 26h during eighth annual New York Television Festival will determine winner

Samsung Electronics America, a leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, and the NYTVF (www.NYTVF.com), a pioneer of the independent television movement, announced the five finalists in the Samsung Second Screen Storytellers contest.

The contest challenges participants to create content utilizing two screens in tandem. Finalists were selected based on the originality of their concepts, integration of second-screen content into the story, and quality of the production.

More than 100 original series entries were received during this seven-week contest. At the conclusion Samsung will present the winner with a production budget of $300,000 for the creation of 3 episodes of an original short series with accompanying second screen material.

“We know that increasingly, consumers watch TV with a tablet, laptop or smartphone in hand – yet these experiences are still generally disconnected. To ensure a great second-screen experience, we went straight to the storytellers, “said Eric Anderson, Vice President of Content and Product Solutions for Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “Our goal with the Second Screen Storytellers contest is to see how the experience can be improved when content is produced with a second screen in mind from inception, rather than retro-fitting after production. Samsung, as a leader in both TVs and mobile devices, is particularly well positioned to help spur on this new evolution in content.”

“The creative response to this opportunity was exceptional and we have five very unique and sophisticated projects in contention, each with a genuinely entertaining concept and compelling use of the second screen,” said NYTVF Founder Terence Gray. “I'm thrilled that we were able to work with Samsung to bring this opportunity to indie creators across the US and can't wait to see what the finalists have in store for us next week.” .”

Finalists will pitch their pilots to a panel of three judges: David Jenkinson, award winning journalist, digital technologist and multiplatform publisher, NYTVF’s Gray and Samsung’s Anderson. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 26, 2012 as part of the New York Television Festival's Digital Day events at 92YTribeca.

Brief synopses of the finalist pilots

• D-TEC created by Joseph Saroufim of Los Angeles
• Super Chill developed by Portland, OR’s Vin Shambry and Greg Ash of Big Bright Lights content firm
• We are Criminal Masterminds created by Timothy Cooper and Peter Fackler of New York City’s Peter Fackler LLC development house
• The Conspiracist developed by Barry Gribble of Integral Arts in Washington, D.C.
• The Dilettantes which was developed by Sean Skelton of Mad Rocket Films, LLC, in New York City

This is the third year that Samsung has organized a contest to “free” the TV. The first two contests in 2010 and 2011 challenged developers to create innovative apps that delivered unique content or an interactive home entertainment experience between Samsung TVs and other devices. This is the first time the company is targeting content creators to bring unique multi-screen content to consumers.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, digital imaging products, notebook PCs, tablets, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

About the NYTVF
Established in 2005, the NYTVF is a pioneer of the independent television movement, constructing new and innovative paths of development and talent identification, while simultaneously complementing the traditional television development model. Its annual New York Television Festival – held each fall in New York City – is recognized as the industry’s first independent television festival, which provides a platform to elevate the work of artists creating for the small screen. Through the Festival and other year-round activities – including NYTVF London, which launched in 2011 – the NYTVF’s mission is to connect its community of over 10,000 independent creative artists with leading networks, studios and brands by cultivating relationships that lead to new opportunities. For more information on the NYTVF, the annual Festival and these competitions, visit www.nytvf.com.