1. Comic-Con International
San Diego
While comic book conventions take place in cities all across the country, the San Diego show continues to reign supreme. More than 135,000 comic, video game, and pop culture fans attend, many clad in elaborate costumes that pay homage to their favorite characters. As always, A-List celebrity appearances were among the most talked-about moments from the weekend; Tom Cruise was on hand to unveil the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick; Mark Hamill was honored with the Icon Award; and Angelina Jolie joined the casts of the Marvel movies to announce her starring role in The Eternals. Next: July 23-26, 2020
See more: Comic-Con 2019: The Coolest Things You Missed at the Massive San Diego Convention
While comic book conventions take place in cities all across the country, the San Diego show continues to reign supreme. More than 135,000 comic, video game, and pop culture fans attend, many clad in elaborate costumes that pay homage to their favorite characters. As always, A-List celebrity appearances were among the most talked-about moments from the weekend; Tom Cruise was on hand to unveil the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick; Mark Hamill was honored with the Icon Award; and Angelina Jolie joined the casts of the Marvel movies to announce her starring role in The Eternals. Next: July 23-26, 2020
See more: Comic-Con 2019: The Coolest Things You Missed at the Massive San Diego Convention
Photo: Chris Frawley
2. Sundance Film Festival
Park City, Utah
America’s premiere film festival brings both Hollywood veterans and newcomers, along with fans of independent films, to Park City, Utah, for 10 days of screenings, panel discussions, music events, product demos, dealmaking, and, of course, parties. The 2019 festival, which drew more than 122,000 attendees and featured nearly 200 films, saw a strong showing for women; more than half of the award-winning films were directed by women, including Clemency, directed by Chinonye Chukwu; The Souvenir, directed by Joanna Hogg; and Knock Down the House, directed by Rachel Lears. Next: January 23-February 2, 2020
See more: Sundance 2019: 26 Ways Sponsors Kept Festival Attendees Cozy
America’s premiere film festival brings both Hollywood veterans and newcomers, along with fans of independent films, to Park City, Utah, for 10 days of screenings, panel discussions, music events, product demos, dealmaking, and, of course, parties. The 2019 festival, which drew more than 122,000 attendees and featured nearly 200 films, saw a strong showing for women; more than half of the award-winning films were directed by women, including Clemency, directed by Chinonye Chukwu; The Souvenir, directed by Joanna Hogg; and Knock Down the House, directed by Rachel Lears. Next: January 23-February 2, 2020
See more: Sundance 2019: 26 Ways Sponsors Kept Festival Attendees Cozy
Photo: Stephen Speckman/Sundance Institute
3. National Association of Broadcasters Show
Las Vegas
More than 90,000 people from 160 countries attended the 2019 National Association of Broadcasters Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, making the event the world’s largest annual conference for entertainment across all platforms. Upwards of 1,700 exhibitors, including Sony, Nikon, Vimeo, and Mercedes-Benz showcased new cameras, lighting equipment, and other technological solutions with the potential to advance the industry. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox Television, and the CW Network all held affiliate meetings in conjunction with the show. Next: April 18-22, 2020
More than 90,000 people from 160 countries attended the 2019 National Association of Broadcasters Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, making the event the world’s largest annual conference for entertainment across all platforms. Upwards of 1,700 exhibitors, including Sony, Nikon, Vimeo, and Mercedes-Benz showcased new cameras, lighting equipment, and other technological solutions with the potential to advance the industry. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox Television, and the CW Network all held affiliate meetings in conjunction with the show. Next: April 18-22, 2020
Photo: Robb Cohen Photography & Video
4. Upfront Week
New York
As usual, the Upfronts were star-studded sessions this year, with networks bringing their top talent to New York to make programming announcements and mingle with advertisers in the hopes of scoring a share of the billions of dollars in potential ad revenue. Piggybacking on the Upfronts, the Digital Content Newfronts gave services like Hulu, Twitter, and Verizon Media a platform to share their upcoming slates. Next: Spring 2020
See more: 23 Highlights You Missed From 2019 Upfront and NewFront Season
As usual, the Upfronts were star-studded sessions this year, with networks bringing their top talent to New York to make programming announcements and mingle with advertisers in the hopes of scoring a share of the billions of dollars in potential ad revenue. Piggybacking on the Upfronts, the Digital Content Newfronts gave services like Hulu, Twitter, and Verizon Media a platform to share their upcoming slates. Next: Spring 2020
See more: 23 Highlights You Missed From 2019 Upfront and NewFront Season
Photo: Charles Sykes/NBCUniversal
5. Kennedy Center Honors
Washington
The 41st annual Kennedy Center Honors broke from tradition to honor the Broadway musical Hamilton; usually the awards recognize individuals for a lifetime of achievement. This year, the honors will mark the first time that a television program will receive the prestigious award. Sesame Street will be recognized alongside iconic entertainers Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Earth, Wind & Fire. For the fifth consecutive year, White Cherry Entertainment will produce the show, which raises between $6 million and $7 million for Kennedy Center programs. CBS will broadcast the event in prime time the following week. Next: December 8, 2019
The 41st annual Kennedy Center Honors broke from tradition to honor the Broadway musical Hamilton; usually the awards recognize individuals for a lifetime of achievement. This year, the honors will mark the first time that a television program will receive the prestigious award. Sesame Street will be recognized alongside iconic entertainers Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Earth, Wind & Fire. For the fifth consecutive year, White Cherry Entertainment will produce the show, which raises between $6 million and $7 million for Kennedy Center programs. CBS will broadcast the event in prime time the following week. Next: December 8, 2019
Photo: Scott Suchman
6. Television Critics Association Press Tour
Los Angeles
Every winter and summer, networks, streaming services, and other television content distributors connect with the roughly 200 members of the Television Critics Association, generating more than 120,000 news stories and articles each year. Capping off the summer edition, the T.C.A. Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel honored Amazon’s Fleabag as Program of the Year, while HBO was the most recognized network with four awards. David Milch received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Next: January 2020
Every winter and summer, networks, streaming services, and other television content distributors connect with the roughly 200 members of the Television Critics Association, generating more than 120,000 news stories and articles each year. Capping off the summer edition, the T.C.A. Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel honored Amazon’s Fleabag as Program of the Year, while HBO was the most recognized network with four awards. David Milch received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Next: January 2020
Photo: Karen Tran
7. CinemaCon
Up from #8
Las Vegas
Each year, the National Association of Theater Owners hosts the largest gathering in the motion picture theater industry at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. More than 80 countries were represented at the event in 2019, where 6,000 stakeholders attended screenings, product presentations, panel discussions, a trade show, and an award presentation. Helen Mirren, Jennifer Hudson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were just a few of the Hollywood stars who appeared at the event. Next: March 30-April 2, 2020
Las Vegas
Each year, the National Association of Theater Owners hosts the largest gathering in the motion picture theater industry at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. More than 80 countries were represented at the event in 2019, where 6,000 stakeholders attended screenings, product presentations, panel discussions, a trade show, and an award presentation. Helen Mirren, Jennifer Hudson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were just a few of the Hollywood stars who appeared at the event. Next: March 30-April 2, 2020
Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CinemaCon
