North Fork TV Festival in Greenport now through Saturday

Living in an era of TV binge-watchers, it comes as no surprise that TV shows are lauded in the fashion that films are, today. A testament to TV’s power is that the North Fork TV Festival — featuring new independent, scripted TV shows — returns for its third year Sept. 6-8, at the Greenport Theatre.

Tonight at 7:30 p.m., a VIP-only cocktail party and stand-up comedy performance are offered at Kon Tiki at the Gallery Hotel. And, Friday and Saturday screenings of the shows are presented at the historic theatre.

Friday’s shows include “America,” about a group of Israeli immigrants living in Los Angeles, at 3 p.m.; and “The Russian Cousin,” about a young Brooklynite who is unprepared to host her quirky cousin (pictured above) visiting from Russia, at 7 p.m. Both screenings feature a Q&A segment with the shows’ creators. And, Saturday, the family-friendly animated series, “Peg + Cat,” is screened at 11 a.m. Afterwards, there’s a book-signing with Jennifer Oxley, co-creator of the show and co-author of “The Chicken Problem,” the book which the series is based on. Schedule: northfork.tv/screenings.

Can’t-miss panels include “Conversation with Aida Tutorro,” an actress you might recognize from the hit series “The Sopranos,” on Friday, at 7 p.m.; and the “Actors Panel” features Italia Ricci from “Designated Survivor.”  Eka Darville from “Jessica Jones,” and Brian J. Smith from “Sense8,” who will discuss what it’s like working in today’s TV industry, on Saturday, at 1:30 p.m.

If you love all-things film and TV, like me, this is the fest for you – just don’t wear your binge-watching sweatpants, as tempting as it may be!

North Fork TV Festival
Greenport Theatre
211 Front St., Greenport
Tickets and schedule: northfork.tv