Best new TV pilots honored by NYC festival

The New York Television Festival saluted "I Hate Being Single" with its Bing Audience Award at its annual gala in Tribeca. The awards go to independently produced pilots in 20 categories, with Rob Michael Hugel's "I Hate Being Single" being rated the favorite of the crowd. In all, the organizers said in a written statement, there were 15 deals struck during the festival between the hopeful producers and various television networks. "This was a watershed year for the NYTVF and one that showed the independent television movement to not only be alive and well, but thriving," said NYTVF Founder and Executive Director Terence Gray. Other awards included "Adulthood for Beginners," written by Robby O'Connor, in the comedy categories, and "Redesigning Your Life with Lainey Chase" by Eric Cyphers, which won the critics award.