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North Fork TV Festival Brings Kelsey Grammer, Anthony Anderson, Kate Walsh and More to Greenport
The 11th annual festival, Oct. 21-22, will honor Anthony Anderson, Kate Walsh and Denée Benton, with appearances by Kelsey Grammer, Bridget Moynahan and other television stars.
Greenport will welcome some familiar faces from television this week as the North Fork TV Festival returns for its 11th year, bringing actors, producers, writers and emerging talent together for two days of screenings, conversations and industry events.
The festival, taking place Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, will feature Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy), Bridget Moynahan (Blue Bloods), Denée Benton (The Gilded Age), Kelly AuCoin (Billions), Melissa Navia (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Michael Nathanson (Love Story).
Anderson, Walsh and Benton will receive this year’s festival honors, while Grammer, Moynahan and other participating actors will take part in the festival’s In Talks With… conversation series.
“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.”
Anthony Anderson, Kate Walsh and Denée Benton to Be Honored
Anthony Anderson, who earned seven consecutive Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Andre “Dre” Johnson on ABC’s black-ish, will receive the festival’s highest honor, the Canopy Award, on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Sound View Greenport.
Anderson’s television and film credits include Law & Order and The Departed, along with hosting the 75th Emmy Awards and Netflix’s Star Search.
Kate Walsh will receive the Ambassador for the Arts Award, recognizing her work in television, film and theater. Best known for playing Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff Private Practice, Walsh has also appeared in Emily in Paris, The Umbrella Academy and Fargo.
Denée Benton, who plays Peggy Scott in HBO’s The Gilded Age, will be presented with the Breakout Performance Award, sponsored by Citrin Cooperman.
A Tony Award nominee, Benton has appeared on Broadway in Hamilton, Into the Woods and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. She will also participate in an In Talks With… conversation Thursday at The Library at Sound View Greenport.
Kelsey Grammer, Bridget Moynahan and More Join the Conversations
The festival’s In Talks With… series, introduced last year, returns with intimate conversations featuring established television actors.
This year’s participants include Kelsey Grammer, whose portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane across Cheers and Frasier made him one of television’s most recognizable stars; Bridget Moynahan, known for Blue Bloods; Kelly AuCoin of Billions; Melissa Navia of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds; and Denée Benton.
Moynahan, a returning festival honoree, will also participate in a special conversation and dinner presented by Deadline.
The In Talks With… events are designated for VIP passholders.
Television, AI and the Next Generation of Storytellers
Beyond the celebrity appearances, the festival will examine the changing television industry through panel discussions, screenings and conversations about the creative process.
Among the featured programs is Storytelling and Television in the Age of AI, exploring how artificial intelligence is affecting television production, creativity and the future of storytelling.
The festival will also showcase independent television pilots and scripts selected through its annual competitions, offering emerging filmmakers and writers opportunities to present their work to industry professionals.
Festival events will take place at venues including Sound View Greenport and American Beech Hospitality, with special dinners and networking gatherings bringing together participants and guests.
Independent Pilot and Script Competition Winners
Festival artistic director Mike Stern, a television and film producer, announced five winners in each of the festival’s two competitions.
2026 Independent Pilot Competition
- You Are Here…, directed by Mandy Fabian
- Matched, directed by Elvira Ibragimova
- Burncoat, directed by Jay Martin
- Kings County, directed by K.M. Murphy
- Cell Block B, directed by Jan Prušinovsky
2026 Television Script Competition
- 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
- Hunting Mickey, written by Gregg Greenberg and Michael Rispoli
Founded in 2015, the North Fork TV Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent television and connecting emerging creators with established industry professionals.
IF YOU GO
What: 11th Annual North Fork TV Festival
When: Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
Where: Greenport, including Sound View Greenport and American Beech Hospitality
Tickets: Festival passes and individual event tickets available online. Certain conversations and special events are restricted to VIP passholders.
Website: https://northfork.tv/tickets
More information: https://northfork.tv/
