Festival Season:
July 2025
THE HICKS HAPPY HOUR
Directors:
Writers:
Kate Mccarthy
Kate Mccarthy, Michael Kefeyalew
Producers:
Cameron Wen
Run Time:
0:16:38
Awarded for the following Category(s):
Awarded Category(s)
In 1972, the ever-smiling mother of a family band struggles to keep the family’s TV variety show and wholesome image going when her estranged husband doesn’t turn up to the season finale taping.
Submitter Statement
Kate McCarthy is a comedian turned writer/director based in Los Angeles. She graduated from the AFI Conservatory in 2024 with an MFA in Directing. In 2025, her AFI thesis THE HICKS HAPPY HOUR won Best Comedy Series at the 44th College Television Awards, commonly known as the Student Emmys. Prior to AFI, Kate's 2022 debut short LOOK, MIRA was described by Vulture as “a stylishly bittersweet coming-of-age comedy in the Todd Solondz–Wes Anderson mold that’s bursting with color and idiosyncrasy.” The film is now streaming on Directors Notes and NoBudge, where it's ranked as one of their “Top 12 Most Viewed of All Time.” Back in her comedy days, Kate interned at SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, CONAN, FULL FRONTAL WITH SAMANTHA BEE, and The Second City.
Key Cast
Other Credits