Austin Film Festival Announces Outstanding Television Writer Awardee!

Remember the episode of Seinfeld where the George & Elaine fight over a stolen parking space outside of Jerry’s house? Or The Simpsons episode where Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for $5? Have you spent your week waiting for the latest episode of The Office, or Sunday evenings winding down with the second longest-running animated television show of all time, King of the Hill?

Having proved his undeniable talent as a comedy writer, producer and director – The 15th annual Austin Film Festival is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Television Writer award - none other than the multi-talented and award-winning Greg Daniels.

Greg Daniels began writing for the National Lampoon at Harvard University, with fellow future The Simpsons writer Conan O’Brien. His first television engagement was with the hit HBO show Not Necessarily the News, which soon became Saturday Night Live, and followed with him winning his first Emmy Award, for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Series (1989).

Daniels then continued his career by joining The Simpsons as a writer and producer. He is said to have been the creator behind “some of the most popular episodes in the history of the series”: "22 Short Films About Springfield", "Homer and Apu", "Bart Sells His Soul", and "Lisa's Wedding." He also co-wrote the legendary “The Parking Space” episode for Seinfeld, for which he received a Writer’s Guild Award nomination.

After his long, successful stint with The Simpsons, including becoming co-executive producer and winning another Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Series (1995), Daniels moved onto a new project with Mike Judge: King of the Hill. The Simpsons is the longest-running animated series in television, and with his same magical touch he made the Emmy-winning King of the Hill the second longest-running animated series in television!

His most recent project, The Office, has also been a hit and won Daniels two more Emmy-awards including Outstanding Comedy Series (2006) and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Comedy Series (2007).

Daniels is currently working on a new series with Emmy-nominated Saturday Night Live star Amy Poehler to air on NBC in early 2009.

Want to hear the ins and outs of writing for television with Greg Daniels himself? Join us at the Austin Film Festival Conference!

Badges start at just $95 and allow access to panels, movies and networking parties – plus access to purchasing a seat at the Awards Luncheon, where you can see Daniels accept his honor alongside Distinguished Screenwriter Awardeee Sam Shepard. For more information call 1-800-310-3378 or visit http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/.

Reserve your badge today before prices go up September 22!