When you truly love something, you throw it a party. New Yorkers can finally give TV the affection it deserves with the first New York Television Festival. To viewers in the public and in the industry, the screenings of unaired pilots – some of which bear the mark of serious talent – are required viewing. The contest’s focus is on independent television, while pilots produced by larger companies are screened out of competition. A series of panel discussions round out the event.

The pilots compete for awards in several categories, but highlights of the festival are concentrated in the reality division. “The House of Tiny Tearaways,” a BBC produced series, places troubled children in a house with psychologists and therapists, in an attempt at understanding and treatment. On “Cooking’s a Drag,” a gender bending “kitchen cabaret,” guest star William Shatner mans the stove. In “Knock Knock,” Fred Willard (“A Mighty Wind”) arrives at the doors of celebrities and tours their homes – in the pilot, he drops by Phyllis Diller’s place.

Tonight through Sunday, times and locations vary, 866-NYTVFTX, $200 festival pass, single ticket sales are limited. For a full schedule, go to www.newyorktelevisionfestival.com.

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