NYC dramedy series from Romeo J. Etienne and Hope Hollinsworth Coaxum adds festival spotlight as studio prepares to expand with micro-drama “Romeo & Lela”
Thirty Something: Adulthood Under Construction, the New York City dramedy series created by Romeo J. Etienne and Hope Hollinsworth Coaxum, has been selected as a spotlight entry at the 2026 Hip Hop Film Festival in New York City.
Now in its 11th year, the Hip Hop Film Festival runs August 19 to 23, 2026, across venues including the LOOK Dine-In Cinema on the Hudson. Produced by the Harlem Film House, the five-day event is dedicated exclusively to independent filmmakers telling stories from the culture, and features over 100 independent films, networking events through its Cypher Village, filmmaker workshops called Master Cyphers, and culminates with the Sneaker Ball and G.O.A.T. Awards.
The selection follows the series’ premiere at the Big Apple Film Festival, where the pilot drew audience and industry attention. The series follows Romeo Carter, portrayed by creator and executive producer Romeo J. Etienne, a former hip-hop artist rebuilding his life after personal and professional setbacks. Set in New York City, the show explores friendship, ambition, romance, and identity in your thirties. The pilot episode, “You, Me, Him and Her,” features an ensemble cast including Martina Holley, Wayne Violet, and Jacque Horton.
“People have connected with these characters in a way we could only hope for,” said Etienne. “Whether they’re laughing, relating to the struggles, or seeing pieces of themselves in the story, that’s exactly why we created this series.”
Co-creator Hope Hollinsworth Coaxum added, “We wanted to create something honest, entertaining, and reflective of real life. Seeing audiences embrace these characters and their journeys has been incredibly rewarding.”
Alongside its festival run, HDP Studios is developing “Romeo & Lela,” a companion micro-drama series centered on two characters from the show. The series is designed to function as both a standalone story and an entry point into the Thirty Something world ahead of the first-season launch, focusing on the relationship dynamics between its two title characters.
ABOUT HDP STUDIOS (Hunger. Desire. Passion.) HDP Studios is a New York-based production company with credits including Hey Love, Her Decision, and A Son to A Father.