NPR

Columbus-produced TV comedy pilot debuts at Sundance Film Festival

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by

Allie Vugrincic

02.09.26

A spotlight shone on Columbus during the renowned Sundance Film Festival at the end of January.

Brothers Julien and Justen Turner of Columbus premiered a pilot episode of their comedy, "FreeLance." The episode, which opens with sweeping shots of Columbus' skyline, follows Lance, a young filmmaker in central Ohio, and his rag-tag band of creator friends who hope to make it big in their respective industries.

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Blavity

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The Turner Brothers have officially taken their talents from the Midwest to Park City, Utah. In their Sundance debut, Julien and Justen Turner showcase the highs and lows of chasing dreams with FreeLance, an indie TV pilot following a young filmmaker in the Midwest as he navigates the creative industry alongside his tight-knit group. The project premiered in the Episodic Fiction Pilot Showcase at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and is produced by their company, Dreadhead Films. It stars Spence Moore II, KevOnStage, Lou Young III, Lou Ratchett, Bernard “B Nard” Clark, Renè Vaca and Elijah Cooper, with an appearance by Mel Mitchell.

Blavity

How The Turner Brothers Brought Their Major Filmmaking Ambitions To Sundance With 'FreeLance'

The Turner Brothers have officially taken their talents from the Midwest to Park City, Utah. In their Sundance debut, Julien and Justen Turner showcase the highs and lows of chasing dreams with FreeLance, an indie TV pilot following a young filmmaker in the Midwest as he navigates the creative industry alongside his tight-knit group. The project premiered in the Episodic Fiction Pilot Showcase at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and is produced by their company, Dreadhead Films. It stars Spence Moore II, KevOnStage, Lou Young III, Lou Ratchett, Bernard “B Nard” Clark, Renè Vaca and Elijah Cooper, with an appearance by Mel Mitchell.

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The Best Advice Behind This Sundance Comedy Came From Their Mom

Filmmaking brothers Julien and Justen Turner reflect on FreeLANCE’s Sundance debut, gig-economy chaos, and the mother who pushed them to bet on themselves. “Trust a Black woman.” If that lesson isn’t already hardwired into the culture, it’s certainly been cemented for brothers Julien and Justen Turner. The filmmaking siblings credit their mother, Dr. Cynthia Turner, a college administrator, with pushing them to stop waiting for permission and bet on themselves. They followed that advice. And the result? FreeLANCE, their new episodic comedy series, premiered as part of the 2026 Sundance Episodic Pilot Showcase.

Ebony

The Best Advice Behind This Sundance Comedy Came From Their Mom

Filmmaking brothers Julien and Justen Turner reflect on FreeLANCE’s Sundance debut, gig-economy chaos, and the mother who pushed them to bet on themselves. “Trust a Black woman.” If that lesson isn’t already hardwired into the culture, it’s certainly been cemented for brothers Julien and Justen Turner. The filmmaking siblings credit their mother, Dr. Cynthia Turner, a college administrator, with pushing them to stop waiting for permission and bet on themselves. They followed that advice. And the result? FreeLANCE, their new episodic comedy series, premiered as part of the 2026 Sundance Episodic Pilot Showcase.

Ebony

The Best Advice Behind This Sundance Comedy Came From Their Mom

Filmmaking brothers Julien and Justen Turner reflect on FreeLANCE’s Sundance debut, gig-economy chaos, and the mother who pushed them to bet on themselves. “Trust a Black woman.” If that lesson isn’t already hardwired into the culture, it’s certainly been cemented for brothers Julien and Justen Turner. The filmmaking siblings credit their mother, Dr. Cynthia Turner, a college administrator, with pushing them to stop waiting for permission and bet on themselves. They followed that advice. And the result? FreeLANCE, their new episodic comedy series, premiered as part of the 2026 Sundance Episodic Pilot Showcase.

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Little Black Book

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