The North Fork TV Festival Celebrated A Weekend Of Independent Scripted Television

The North Fork TV Festival returned to Greenport and Cutchogue during the weekend of November 17 to 18. The festival is a celebration of independent scripted television and provides a platform for emerging creators. Events took place at Sound View Greenport and Borghese Vineyard.

Highlights included an opening night happy hour with special guest bartender Kelsey Grammer at Sound View Greenport, which brought together industry leaders and North Fork community members. The event was in partnership with Grammer’s Faith American Brewery. Grammer got behind the bar to pour beers from his Faith American Brewery for guests to enjoy. He was also joined behind the bar by his daughter actress Greer Grammer.

The next day there was a brunch screening of Paramount+ series “Frasier” and a conversation with executive producer Tom Russo moderated by Variety’s Jennifer Maas.

The Festival Main Stage Sessions on Saturday, November 18, included a series of in-person screenings and conversations to honor this year’s Independent Script and TV Pilot Competition winners at Borghese Vineyard. This year’s competition received 300 submissions, the most in the festival’s history. The competition program was organized by Grace O’Doherty, the festival’s Producer.

The sessions kicked off with welcome remarks from North Fork TV Festival Advisory Board Member and Borghese Vineyard owner Giovanni Borghese and Suffolk County Film Commission Chair Diana Cherryholmes. Attendees were welcomed by Festival Co-Founders Noah Doyle and Jonathan Shafter.

Programming included screenings of festival competition pilots “Awesome” and “Imaginary Friends” followed by a conversation moderated by Elisa DiStefano with Paul Munger and Nick Byron, and David Allensworth.

Yahoo Chief Diversity and Culture Officer Alicin Williamson moderated a conversation with Sophie Wang. A screening of competition pilot honoree “Who’s Annie” followed by a conversation moderated by actor Stephen Moyer featuring the show’s creator Sophia Peer and star Annie Pisapia.

During the festival’s closing session Carrie Preston was honored with the 2023 Canopy Award at Borghese Vineyard in Cutchogue. The Canopy Award honors a member of the New York television community and its recipient champions the creative ambitions of diverse storytelling through their persistence, integrity, and inclusive nature. Preston was introduced by her husband and Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Emerson. Preston’s close friend actress Jenn Lyon also moderated a conversation and Q&A with Preston highlighting her impressive career. The two also spoke about Preston’s upcoming series “Elsbeth” which will premiere on CBS on February 29.

The festival closed out with an after party at Borghese Vineyard with bites provided by Center Cuts and Silver Sands. Beverages were provided by Faith American Brewery, Greenport Harbor Brewery, Championz Gin, JiuJiu Vodka, and Sanzo.