North Fork TV Festival Announces 2026 Lineup, Honorees and Programming for 11th Annual Celebration in Greenport
The North Fork TV Festival will return to Greenport, New York, on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, for its 11th annual celebration of television. The event brings together acclaimed actors, writers, directors, producers, executives and emerging talent for two days of screenings, conversations, industry panels and special events, according to the supplied announcement.
This year’s festival will honor Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor, producer and television host Anthony Anderson with the 2026 Canopy Award, recognize acclaimed actress, producer and entrepreneur Kate Walsh with the Ambassador for the Arts Award, and present Critics Choice and Tony Award-nominated actress Denée Benton with the Breakout Performance Award, presented by Citrin Cooperman. Anderson is best known for starring as Andre “Dre” Johnson on ABC’s black-ish and earning seven consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, with credits including Law & Order, The Departed, the 75th Annual Emmy Awards and Netflix’s Star Search. Walsh, best known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, has additional credits in The Umbrella Academy, Emily in Paris and Fargo. Benton, who stars as Peggy Scott in HBO’s The Gilded Age, has appeared on Broadway in Hamilton, Into the Woods and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
The 2026 participating talent lineup includes Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), Bridget Moynahan (Blue Bloods), Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy), Kelly AuCoin (Billions), Melissa Navia (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Michael Nathanson (Love Story) and Denée Benton (The Gilded Age), alongside independent storytellers and leading voices from across the television industry. The festival will feature the return of In Talks With…, the VIP-only conversation series introduced at last year’s festival, with confirmed participants including Kelsey Grammer, Melissa Navia, Kelly AuCoin, Bridget Moynahan and Denée Benton.
Additional confirmed programming includes Storytelling and Television in the Age of AI, an industry-focused session examining the relationship between artificial intelligence, creativity and the future of television, as well as the festival’s Independent Pilot Screening Sessions, which spotlight emerging storytellers and original television projects. The festival will also feature industry panels, exclusive screenings, networking opportunities and special events designed to connect established professionals with the next generation of television talent, with programming culminating in gatherings and intimate dinners at American Beech Hospitality and Sound View Greenport.
The festival’s Artistic Director, television and film producer Mike Stern, has announced the winners of the 2026 Independent Pilot Competition and Television Script Competition. The Independent Pilot Competition winners are You Are Here…, directed by Mandy Fabian; Matched, directed by Elvira Ibragimova; Burncoat, directed by Jay Martin; Kings County, directed by K.M. Murphy; and Cell Block B, directed by Jan Prušinovsky. The Television Script Competition winners are Bastards of Young, written by Alberto Nissim; Intercourse, written by A.R. Pidich and D.S. Pidich; (She’s Fine Now), written by Jill Greenwood; Frankfurter, written by Jennifer Sondag; and Hunting Mickey, written by Gregg Greenberg and Michael Rispoli. The competition program supports independent television development by identifying original projects and providing opportunities for selected storytellers to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals.
“We are thrilled to return to Greenport for our 11th year and welcome such an extraordinary group of artists to the festival,” said Noah Doyle, Founder of the North Fork TV Festival. “From honoring established talent whose work has shaped television to showcasing emerging storytellers and original projects, the festival creates an opportunity for meaningful conversations about the craft, business and future of the medium. We look forward to bringing the television community together for another memorable year.”
Founded in 2015, the North Fork TV Festival celebrates the evolution of television, both mainstream and independent, bringing together actors, executives, writers, directors and producers to champion original storytelling and emerging creative voices. Held annually in Greenport, New York, the festival supports independent program development and provides a platform for innovative television projects from around the world. The North Fork TV Festival is a year-round 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Each year, an expert panel selects independent pilots for festival screenings and provides opportunities for creators to receive mentorship as their projects progress through development and toward potential production.
Festival passes and individual tickets are available at www.northfork.tv/tickets. For programming details, guest announcements and updates, visit www.northfork.tv and follow @NorthForkTV on Instagram.
