How Indie Creators Are Navigating Their Film Industry Struggles with a Unique TV Pilot at SXSW

CODEPENDENT
Section: Independent TV Pilot Competition
Showrunners: Weston McElhaney, Wade McElhaney
Director: Caitlyn Phu
Logline: In a quirky twist of fate, LA-based twins Tristan and Max find themselves both unemployed on the same day. After Tristan has a heated confrontation with a TV writer and Max inadvertently leaks a blockbuster script from his boss, they feel stuck. Turning to their friend Jane, a corporate filmmaker unhappy in her job, they start applying for new opportunities. Despite their vow to avoid competing for the same positions, they disregard their promise and chase after the same roles. Ultimately, only Max lands a job, leading the twins to decide to tackle the position together as a single entity.
Panelists: Weston McElhaney, Wade McElhaney, Caitlyn Phu, and Riley Sigler
Premiered: March 14, 2026
Key Quote: “I think a lot of the show started, the idea of it, when my brother and I had to move back to our parents’ house, because financially things just weren’t working out for us,” said showrunner and actor Wade McElhaney. “That’s how we were coping. We were like, ‘We’re going to turn this situation that I view deep down as kind of eugh, into oh it’s funny, we’re making art out of it.”