Next New Networks, the leading next generation media company providing original web series to millions of loyal, engaged viewers, today announced that they are a lead sponsor of the 5th Annual Independent TV Festival to be held in Los Angeles later this month. The festival is designed to support independently produced television and Web series.

Next New Networks, which recently celebrated one billion online video views, runs the Next New Creators (NNC) Program set-up to distribute, promote, package and monetize original Web series in partnership with independent Web producers.

Next New Creators’ programs including The Gregory Brothers’ Webby-Award Winning “Auto-Tune The News,” Grace Randolph’s “Beyond The Trailer,” Dan Delaney’s “Vendr.TV,” and Max and Rebecca Lando’s “Working Class Foodies,” to name a few, collectively reach more than 25 million viewers each month. Since launching in late 2009, more than thirty NNC producers have used the NNC program as a platform to success.

“Next New Networks is proud to sponsor ITVFest, to foster the ongoing development of awesome independent Web series,” said Kathleen Grace, vice president of programming at Next New Networks. “The Next New Creators Program has been really successful for both Next New Networks and our independent producer partners, and we’re looking forward to partnering with more Web producers in the near future. We see ITVFest as playing an important role in promoting that talent and supporting the industry, so we’re pleased to be on board.”

“ITVFest was conceived to provide talented artists with an opportunity to showcase their work and gain notoriety through their independent television efforts,” said A.J. Tesler, ITVFest Executive Director. “It’s our 5th annual event and the biggest to date with close to 300 submissions. We’re seeing a significant growth in the Web series category, which accounts for 70 percent of this year’s selections, so it’ll be interesting to monitor this emerging medium and see how it will affect people’s preference as a leading entertainment platform.  We are also very excited to have so many studio executives and talent share their love of independent content as both participants and audience attendees.”

Kathleen Grace will appear on the “Developing for the Web” Seminar on August 2, at 3.30pm PT. Tickets to ITVFest can be purchased online at www.ITVFest.org.

About Next New Networks
Next New Networks is the leading provider of original, episodic series programming for the Internet. With close to one billion views since the company's launch in 2007, over two million subscribers, and some of the biggest hits on the Web, Next New Networks is redefining entertainment by championing the next generation of show creators. Popular, award-winning video networks from the company include Barely Political (home of Obama Girl and "Auto-Tune the News"); Channel Frederator, featuring the cartoons of over 1,000 creators; food network for the people Hungry Nation; car news network Fast Lane Daily; filmmaking network Indy Mogul (home of hit series Backyard FX, Beyond the Trailer, and Moviebuzz); fashion and lifestyle network ThreadBanger; and Barely Digital (home of "The Key of Awesome," one of the top five most-watched shows on the Web since its launch in October 2009).

About ITVFest
ITVFest is a non-profit organization with the mission of encouraging change in conventional television and the growth of artistic expression in television and new media. Simultaneously, ITVFest provides local, national and international artistic communities with a public forum for independently produced television pilots. ITVFest receives pilot submissions from around the world in comedy, drama, alternative (reality, animation, talk show, etc) documentary, and web series.  By screening the official selections to a live audience, which includes ITVFest's executive advisory board and extensive network contacts, ITVFest provides a bridge to the inner workings of the television industry and is amongst the top festivals in providing real opportunities for filmmakers.