The North Fork TV Festival returns to Greenport on October 21 and 22 to celebrate the evolution of television, both mainstream and independent, bringing together actors, executives, writers, and directors to champion original storytelling and emerging creative voices.
This year’s festival will present acclaimed actress, producer, and entrepreneur Kate Walsh with the 2026 Ambassador for the Arts Award, and Critics Choice and Tony Award-nominated actress Denée Benton with the Breakout Performance Award. The festival will also welcome returning honoree and actress Bridget Moynahan for an In Talks With…conversation and dinner presented by Deadline. Additionally, Anthony Anderson will receive this year’s Canopy Award, which honors an individual whose work has made a meaningful impact on television and the broader entertainment industry.
Walsh will receive the Ambassador for the Arts Award in recognition of her contributions to television, film and stage. With more than two decades in entertainment, she is best known for her iconic portrayal of Dr. Addison Montgomery on “Grey’s Anatomy” and its spinoff “Private Practice.” Her additional television credits include “The Umbrella Academy,” “Emily in Paris,” “13 Reasons Why,” “Fargo,” and “Sprung.” Beyond acting, Walsh has expanded her work into producing, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
Benton, who stars as Peggy Scott in HBO’s acclaimed series “The Gilded Age,” will receive the Breakout Performance Award, recognizing her achievements across television and theater. Her role earned her a Critics Choice nomination for Supporting Actress. This fall, Benton returns to Broadway in Jocelyn Bioh’s “School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play.” Her stage credits also include “Hamilton,” “Into the Woods,” and “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” Benton will participate in an In Talks With… conversation on Thursday, October 22, at The Library at Sound View Greenport.
Moynahan will participate in In Talks With… Bridget Moynahan and a dinner presented by Deadline on Wednesday, October 21, at American Beech. Following her 14-season run on CBS’s “Blue Bloods,” which she also directed, Moynahan recently joined the cast of Dan Fogelman’s upcoming Hulu NFL drama series “The Land,” alongside Christopher Meloni, Mandy Moore, and William H. Macy. Her other credits include “And Just Like That…,” the “John Wick” franchise, “I, Robot.” and “Coyote Ugly.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Denée Benton with this year’s Breakout Performance Award,” said Noah Doyle, Founder of the North Fork TV Festival. “Her work in The Gilded Age showcases the depth, range, and magnetic screen presence that make an actor stand out. With her success on screen and return to Broadway, Denée embodies the exceptional talent and artistry the festival celebrates. We are also honored to recognize Kate Walsh and welcome Bridget Moynahan back to the festival for an intimate conversation about her remarkable career.”
The 2026 North Fork TV Festival will bring together guests for two days of screenings, conversations, industry panels, and special events. Additional programming includes Storytelling and Television in the Age of AI, an industry-focused session examining the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, creativity, and the future of television, as well as Independent Pilot Screening Sessions showcasing emerging storytellers and original television projects.
The festival will also feature the return of In Talks With…, the VIP-only conversation series introduced last year. Confirmed participants include Kelsey Grammer, Melissa Navia, Kelly AuCoin, Bridget Moynahan and Denée Benton.
North Fork TV Festival Artistic Director and television and film producer Mike Stern has announced the winners of this year’s Independent Pilot Competition and Television Script Competition. The 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 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.
Festival passes and individual tickets are available at www.northfork.tv/tickets. For programming details, guest announcements, and updates, visit www.northfork.tv.