The North Fork TV Festival will present the Emmy-winning actor and co-star of this year’s comedy pilot winner “Swipe NYC,” Richard Schiff as the 2024 Ambassador for the Arts honoree. Fresh off their recent Emmy nominations, John Turturro and Marcia Gay Harden will join the festivities this year. Turturro will lead a conversation on the evolution of television, and Gay Harden will be presented with North Fork’s 2024 Canopy Award.
Held annually in Greenport, the North Fork TV Festival celebrates the evolution of television, both mainstream and independent, bringing together the minds of actors, executives, writers, and directors. It will be held on Tuesday, August 27, and Wednesday, August 28.
Other notable confirmed participants include Bridget Moynahan, who is a co-producer and an actor in “Swipe NYC,” and Kelsey Grammer.
“We are honored to present Richard Schiff with this year’s Ambassador for the Arts Award,” said Founder Noah Doyle. “His remarkable talent and dedication across TV and film have inspired viewers worldwide. We look forward to celebrating his talent in Greenport.”
Mike Stern, North Fork’s Artistic Director, has announced the winners of this year’s Independent Pilot competition. Chosen for their artistic merit and commercial potential, the four winners will screen on Northfork.tv. They include “Swipe NYC,” starring Lisa Edelstein and created by Sue Zarco Kramer; “The Sessions,” starring R. Keith Harris and created by Al Julian and Vince Eisenson; “The Ladies,” starring Jessica Toltzis and created by Juliana Piscina; and “Typical Dan Peterson Stuff,” starring and created by Scott Kruse, Josh Long, and Kurt Quinn.
“This year’s winners include a riveting therapy group for convicted killers, a coming-into-age comedy with a hilarious backdrop of online dating in Brooklyn, an off-the-wall sketch comedy, and the feel-good story of a high school girls basketball team. The eclectic creativity on display in this year’s winners once again cement North Fork as a premiere destination for the independent television movement,” said Stern, a television and film writer and producer.
Additionally, a lively panel with veteran television showrunners Kevin Wade of “Blue Bloods” and Chris Brancato of “Hotel Cocaine” will take place during the festival. Moderated by Roy Ashton of the Gersh Agency, this conversation will pull back the curtain on the creative and organizational process involved in developing and producing network and streaming content.
The North Fork TV Festival has also announced the winners of this year’s pilot script competition. This year’s winners are Gregory Abbey for his pool shark coming-of-age drama, “Shark,” and Heidi-Marie Ferren for her Cherokee police detective drama, “Backwoods Chief.”
For festival passes, individual tickets, and a full schedule, visit northfork.tv.