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May 8, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

6 Arts Notes

CFF Announces 2024 Festival Dates, Grants and Opening for Submissions

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We are thrilled to announce that the prestigious Chesapeake Film Festival is now open for submissions on FilmFreeway for its highly anticipated 17th edition! Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their work for consideration for this exciting event, set to take place in the charming town of Easton, Maryland, from September 27 to September 29, 2024. As a platform dedicated to showcasing the best in independent cinema, the festival offers a unique opportunity for filmmakers to connect with audiences and industry professionals alike.

Adding to the excitement, the Chesapeake Film Festival is proud to announce that it has recently been awarded two prestigious grants: the Maryland Humanities’ Marilyn Hatza SHINE Memorial Grant and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Artistic Insights Fund Grant. These awards will further support the festival’s mission of celebrating the art of filmmaking and fostering cultural exchange within the community.

Filmmakers, enthusiasts, and supporters alike are encouraged to mark their calendars and join us for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of cinema. Please visit FilmFreeway to submit your film and learn more about our festival https://filmfreeway.com/chesapeakefilmfestival

For further information on becoming a sponsor, volunteer or to sign up for our newsletter please visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

The Chesapeake Film Festival is generously supported by the Mr. and Mrs. Paul Prager on behalf of Bluepoint Hospitality, The Nature Conservancy, Shared Earth Foundation, Maryland Humanities, Maryland State Arts Council, Mid-Shore Community Foundation & Artistic Insight’s Fund, Talbot Arts, the Maryland Film Office, Choptank Electric Trust, Shore United Bank, Talbot County Department of Tourism, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, U.S. Small Business Administration and Easton Utilities.

The MD Humanities Grant has been financed in part with State Funds from the Maryland Historical Trust, an agency of the Maryland Department of Planning which is part of the State of Maryland.

For more information, please contact Cid Collins Walker CFF Executive Director, [email protected] , (410) 822-3500 or visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

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Chesapeake Film Festival and the Talbot County Free Library Present Screening of the 2023 Student Awards Showcase

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The Chesapeake Film Festival, now in its 16th year, will present a special screening of its 2023 Student Awards Showcase at the Talbot County Free Library on Saturday, January 6, 2024, beginning at 12 noon. Selections include environmental, documentary and animated shorts from students representing American University, George Washington University’s Corcoran School of Arts and Design, Towson State University, and Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, VA.  Filmmakers include Jess Wiegandt, James Mertz, Jeremiah Battle, Amin El Siwi and Phil Bouknight, Mason Mirabile, Ryan Wilton Zlatniski, Christina Woo, Kristian Panash Chitate, Wyatt Carson, Kat Navarro and Colman Hallinan.

The Student Awards Showcase is followed by a screening of the documentary short With Love From Truman directed by David and Albert Maysles. The film recalls an intimate meeting with renowned author Truman Capote, with the author sharing his personality through his unique hip philosophy and calculated jokes, as well as insights about his book In Cold Blood.

Following the screenings there will be a light reception.  The Talbot County Free Library is located at 100 W. Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601. Seating is limited for these special screenings and reception.  Reserve your seat today at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

Chesapeake Film Festival showcases and celebrates work from seasoned professionals, emerging filmmakers, and students. Films are selected for their creativity and originality, as well as story and direction. We firmly believe in empowering aspiring storytellers — both emerging and established — to bring their visions to life.  Through our student initiative, we provide meaningful opportunities to young filmmakers by offering competitive awards that fuel their creative journeys.  These awards not only offer financial assistance, but also serve as a catalyst for their future success.

The Chesapeake Film Festival is generously supported by the Shared Earth Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Prager on behalf of Bluepoint Hospitality, Enel Green Power, The Nature Conservancy, Maryland Film Office, Shore United Bank, Choptank Electric, Easton Utilities, Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Talbot County Department of Tourism, Artistic Insights Fund, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Ravenal Foundation.

For more information, please contact Cid Collins Walker CFF Executive Director, [email protected] , (410) 822-3500 or visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Chesapeake Film Festival and the Talbot County Free Library Present Screening of the 2023 Student Awards Showcase

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The Chesapeake Film Festival, now in its 16th year, will present a special screening of its 2023 Student Awards Showcase at the Talbot County Free Library on Saturday, January 6, 2024, beginning at 12 noon. Selections include environmental, documentary and animated shorts from students representing American University, George Washington University’s Corcoran School of Arts and Design, Towson State University, and Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, VA.  Filmmakers include Jess Wiegandt, James Mertz, Jeremiah Battle, Amin El Siwi and Phil Bouknight, Mason Mirabile, Ryan Wilton Zlatniski, Christina Woo, Kristian Panash Chitate, Wyatt Carson, Kat Navarro and Colman Hallinan.

The Student Awards Showcase is followed by a screening of the documentary short With Love From Truman directed by David and Albert Maysles. The film recalls an intimate meeting with renowned author Truman Capote, with the author sharing his personality through his unique hip philosophy and calculated jokes, as well as insights about his book In Cold Blood.

Following the screenings there will be a light reception.  The Talbot County Free Library is located at 100 W. Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601. Seating is limited for these special screenings and reception.  Reserve your seat today at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

Chesapeake Film Festival showcases and celebrates work from seasoned professionals, emerging filmmakers, and students. Films are selected for their creativity and originality, as well as story and direction. We firmly believe in empowering aspiring storytellers — both emerging and established — to bring their visions to life.  Through our student initiative, we provide meaningful opportunities to young filmmakers by offering competitive awards that fuel their creative journeys.  These awards not only offer financial assistance, but also serve as a catalyst for their future success.

The Chesapeake Film Festival is generously supported by the Shared Earth Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Prager on behalf of Bluepoint Hospitality, Enel Green Power, The Nature Conservancy, Maryland Film Office, Shore United Bank, Choptank Electric, Easton Utilities, Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Talbot County Department of Tourism, Artistic Insights Fund, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Ravenal Foundation.

For more information, please contact Cid Collins Walker CFF Executive Director, [email protected] , (410) 822-3500 or visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. 

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Chesapeake Film Festival Prepares for September 30 Opening

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The Chesapeake Film Festival, now in its 16th year, will once again transform downtown Easton into a film lovers’ destination this Fall.  The LIVE Festival kicks off on September 30 at the historic Avalon Theatre, followed by a second day at The Ebenezer Theater on October 1. The festival will also feature a 7-day Virtual Festival from October 2 to October 8, showcasing 37 outstanding documentaries, narrative films, and animations. Plan your visit and buy tickets today at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com  

“All of us at Bluepoint Hospitality are delighted to support and promote the Chesapeake Film Festival. The festival is a wonderful partner and contributor to Easton’s robust artistic community. We look forward to hosting the second day of screenings and events on October 1st at The Ebenezer Theater.” 

 – Aynsley Schopfer, Manager, Prager Family Center for the Arts.

The LIVE Festival starts with the Maryland Premiere of Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection, a captivating documentary about the singer’s life and musical legacy. Don’t miss the chance to engage with the film team, including Writer/producer Randy Schmidt, Executive Producer Andy Streitfeld and Associate Producer Jon Gann, who will be present for audience questions.   

The opening day includes blocks of documentary and narrative shorts, as well as the World Premiere of ICEMAN: Book One, directed by Harold Jackson III, an award-winning director, and Chesapeake Film Festival Board Member.  Day One concludes with the Environmental Opening Night, featuring two local productions – A Passion for Oysters and Windshipped – followed by a panel discussion, including directors Dave Harp and Jon Bowermaster, and moderated by Ryan Conrath, Associate Professor of English in the Film Program at Salisbury University.    

Day Two at The Ebenezer Theater begins with the documentary The Life and Legend of Jane Goodall, followed by a Q & A with director Judith Dwan Hallet. The day continues with a series of film blocks – Outdoors Maryland, Animation, Student and Comedy Shorts – each block includes Q&A’s with filmmakers.  Day Two concludes with The Automat, an engaging documentary with Mel Brooks, followed by Q&A with director Lisa Hurwitz moderated by Martin Zell, CFF President.  

For more details on the Live Festival films and to buy tickets, please visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com 

***The 2023 VIRTUAL Festival continues online October 2 and runs through October 8.  Enjoy 37 carefully curated independent films in the comfort of your own home for one amazing price!   Explore brand new titles including Chesapeake, A Love Letter to a Watershed; 2020: Chaos and Hope; Outside Line; Whitman Brook; By My Side; Mapping Love; Spokespeople; Symphony of Courage; The Red Creek Sessions; Waves Apart, Requiem; Arctic Song; Four Metagraph Animationsand many more. Please be sure to join us for this celebration of international talent you can find nowhere else.  For a full list of 2023 Virtual Films visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

Be a VIP and enjoy access to every film and special event!  Look forward to joining Festival filmmakers, directors, and contributors at the VIP Opening Night Reception on September 30 at 5:30 pm at Easton’s Academy Art Museum.  The event is catered by Celebrity chef Jordan Lloyd of Hambleton House, and you can indulge in freshly-shucked oysters, generously provided by local contributors Tom Horton, Dave Harp, Sandy Cannon-Brown, and Richard Tilghman.  Access to this exclusive experience is available for $125 per ticket, covering the VIP reception and access to all films and events during the LIVE Festival. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com 

CFF showcases films from seasoned professionals, emerging filmmakers, and students. Films are selected for their creativity and originality, as well as story and direction. Generally, films that are not available online – or at least not until after the Chesapeake Film Festival – are given priority for the LIVE Festival.  Highly-rated films that can be shared universally are selected for the VIRTUAL Festival, providing filmmakers and the festival audience with a global reach. 

 The Chesapeake Film Festival is generously supported by the Shared Earth Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Prager on behalf of Bluepoint Hospitality, Enel Green Power, The Nature Conservancy, Maryland Film Office, Shore United Bank, Choptank Electric, Easton Utilities, Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Talbot County Department of Tourism, Artistic Insights Fund, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Ravenal Foundation. 

For more information, please contact Cid Collins Walker CFF Festival Director, [email protected] , (410) 822-3500 or visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Save the Date: The 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival Set for September 30 and October 1

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Save these dates! The 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) will be LIVE Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at two historic venues in Easton, MD.  The Festival goes VIRTUAL October 2 through 8, offering more fabulous films to watch anytime, anywhere.   To explore this year’s film selections, screening schedule and special events, visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

The Festival, now in its 16th year, will once again transform downtown Easton into a film lovers destination this Fall.  The LIVE Festival kicks off on September 30 at the historic Avalon Theatre, followed by a second day at the Ebeneezer Theatre on October 1. The festival will also feature a 7-day Virtual Festival from October 2 to October 8, showcasing 37 outstanding documentaries, narrative films and animations. The Live Festival starts with the Maryland Premiere of Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection, a captivating documentary about the singer’s life and musical legacy. Don’t miss the chance to engage with the film team, including Director Randy Schmidt, Executive Producer Andy Streitfeld and Associate Producer Jon Gann, who will be present for audience questions.  

“Our mission is to champion the creative spirit of emerging and independent filmmakers. Our festival serves as an extraordinary platform, inviting cinephiles to experience films of compelling local and global interest and bringing this experience to the Eastern Shore” remarked Martin Zell, President of the CFF.   

The opening day includes blocks of documentary and narrative shorts, as well as the World Premiere of ICEMAN: Book One, directed by Harold Jackson III, an award-winning director and Chesapeake Film Festival Board Member.  Day One concludes with the Environmental Opening Night, featuring two local productions – A Passion for Oysters and Windshipped – followed by a panel discussion, including directors Dave Harp and Jon Bowermaster, and moderated by Ryan Conrath, Associate Professor of English in the Film Program at Salisbury University.  

Day Two at Ebenezer Theatre begins with the documentary The Life and Legend of Jane Goodall, followed by a Q & A with director Judith Dwan Hallet who will receive the Women of Impact Award this year. The day continues with a series of film blocks – Outdoors Maryland, Animation, Student and Comedy Shorts – each block includes Q&A’s with filmmakers.  Day Two concludes with The Automat, a documentary with Mel Brooks, followed by Q&A with director Lisa Hurwitz moderated by Martin Zell, CFF President. 

For more details on the Live Festival films and to buy tickets, please visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

The 2023 Virtual Festival begins online October 2 and runs through October 8.  Enjoy 37 carefully curated independent films in the comfort of your own home for one amazing price!   Explore professional and student films, live action and animation, enlightening environmental shorts, exciting documentary shorts and features, as well as long and short narrative films. Please join us for this celebration of international talent you can find nowhere else.  For a full list of 2023 Virtual Films visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

This year, Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) and Academy Art Museum (AAM) join forces to bring you a thrilling collaboration!  Don’t miss the free preview event at AAM on August 17th at 5:30 pm. Save the date for a screening of the film With Peter Bradley, featuring intimate conversations with the renowned 80-year-old abstract painter, Peter Bradley.  In the film Director Alex Rappoport takes you on a journey through Bradley’s artistic development, fame, and unique approach to creating artwork.  The evening will include a guest speaker, AAM Director Sarah Jesse, and a Zoom chat with director Alex Rappoport, moderated by CFF board member Kimberly Skyrme. Limited space is available for this free event so sign up to reserve your seat today at https://academyartmuseum.org/film-with-peter-bradley/

Experience the grandeur of the VIP Opening Night Reception on September 30 at 5:30 pm, also at AAM. As part of the celebration, indulge in freshly-shucked oysters followed by the world premiere of A Passion for Oysters, a captivating documentary that explores the enduring legacy of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Renowned local contributors Tom Horton, Dave Harp, Sandy Cannon-Brown, and Richard Tilghman generously provide the shucked oysters. Celebrity chef Jordan Lloyd of Hambleton House will cater the event. Access to this exclusive experience is available for $125 per ticket, covering the VIP reception and all films and events during the LIVE Festival. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com

CFF showcases films from seasoned professionals, emerging filmmakers, and students. Films are selected for their creativity and originality, as well as story and direction. Generally, films that are not available online – or at least not until after the Chesapeake Film Festival – are given priority for the LIVE Festival.  Highly-rated films that can be shared universally are selected for the VIRTUAL Festival, providing filmmakers and the festival audience with a global reach.

The Chesapeake Film Festival is generously supported by the Shared Earth Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Prager on behalf of Bluepoint Hospitality, Enel Green Power, Artistic Insights Fund, Maryland Film Office, Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Talbot County Department of Tourism, The Nature Conservancy, Shore United Bank, Easton Utilities, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Ravenal Foundation.

Photo credits for “A Passion for Oyster” Images: Dave Harp

For more information, please contact Cid Collins Walker CFF Festival Director, [email protected] , (410) 822-3500 or visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Chesapeake Film Festival Events at Academy Art Museum

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Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) and Academy Art Museum (AAM) join forces to bring you a thrilling collaboration at this year’s CFF. Marking the 16th year of this beloved regional film festival, CFF will offer free and VIP special events at AAM in Easton from September 30 to October 1. Festival director Cid Collins Walker expresses excitement about this partnership, stating, “The CFF is overjoyed to be collaborating once again with the prestigious Academy Art Museum and their staff on an event that we expect will be well-attended and well-received by the community.”

With Peter Bradley

Don’t miss the free preview event at AAM on August 17 at 5:30 pm. Join us for a screening of the film With Peter Bradley, featuring intimate conversations with the renowned 80-year-old abstract painter, Peter Bradley. Director Alex Rappoport takes you on a journey through Bradley’s artistic development, fame, and unique approach to creating artwork. The evening will include a guest speaker, AAM Director Sarah Jesse, and a Zoom chat with director Alex Rappoport, moderated by CFF board member Kimberly Skyrme. Limited space is available for this free event.

A Passion for Oysters

Experience the grandeur of the VIP Opening Night Reception on September 30 at 5:30 pm at AAM. As part of the celebration, indulge in freshly-shucked oysters while watching the world premiere of A Passion for Oysters, a captivating documentary that explores the enduring legacy of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Renowned local contributors Tom Horton, Dave Harp, Sandy Cannon-Brown, and Richard Tilghman generously provide the shucked oysters. Celebrity chef Jordan Lloyd of Hambleton House will cater the event. Access to this exclusive experience is available for $125 per ticket, covering the VIP reception and all films and events during the LIVE Festival. Tickets can be purchased online at chesapeakefilmfestival.com starting September 1.

Join us for the 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival, which has transformed downtown Easton into a film lover’s mecca for over 16 years. The LIVE Festival kicks off on September 30 at the historic Avalon Theatre, followed by a second day at the Ebeneezer Theatre on October 1. The festival will also feature a 7-day Virtual Festival from October 2 to October 8, showcasing over 50 outstanding documentaries, narrative films, animations, and engaging conversations with filmmakers. The Live Festival starts with the Maryland Premiere of Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection, a captivating documentary about the singer’s life and musical legacy. Don’t miss the chance to engage with the film team, including Executive Producer Andy Streitfeld and Associate Producer Jon Gann, who will be present for audience questions. The opening day includes blocks of documentary and narrative shorts, as well as the World Premiere of ICEMAN: Book One, directed by Harold Jackson, an award-winning director and CFF Board Member.

For more information on CFF’s film lineup and events, and to purchase tickets, please visit chesapeakefilmfestival.com. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities for the festival are still available. For more information, please contact [email protected].

About Academy Art Museum: Located at 106 South Street in Easton, Maryland, the Academy Art Museum is the premier art museum on the Eastern Shore. Offering high-quality exhibitions and art classes for all ages, the museum features works by renowned artists such as James Turrell, Robert Rauschenberg, Mark Rothko, Pat Steir, Richard Diebenkorn, and many more. With a focus on American and European artists, the permanent collection spans four centuries and includes recent acquisitions by Graciela Iturbide and Zanele Muholi. AAM also provides arts education to school children in the region and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Admission to the museum is now free, allowing barrier-free access to art for all. Visit the museum Tuesday through Sunday during the specified hours for a remarkable art experience.

Currently on view at the Academy Art Museum:

  • Mary Cassatt: Labor and Leisure
  • Labor and Leisure in the Permanent Collection
  • Earth Abides: Selections from the Permanent Collection
  • Fractured Modernities: Contemporary Art from Turkey
  • Hoesy Corona: Terrestrial Caravan

Tickets to attend the festival go on sale at on September 1 at chesapeakefilmfestival.com and can also be purchased at the door.

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Experience, Engage and Enjoy the 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival

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The 16th Annual Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) promises to satisfy every film lover’s taste with a smorgasbord of tantalizing films and events.  The two-day LIVE Festival (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1) and the VIRTUAL Festival (Oct. 2 through 8) include over 50 outstanding documentaries, narratives films, and animations, along with thought-provoking conversations with the filmmakers.

With Peter Bradley

To whet your appetite for film, CFF invites you to the Academy Art Museum on Aug. 17 for a free screening of the film With Peter Bradley, an intimate series of conversations with the 80-year-old abstract painter by director Alex Rappoport. AAM Director Sarah Jesse is the guest speaker.

Mark Connolly dredges for oysters in Broad Creek, a tributary of the Choptank River in this scene from the forthcoming BJ documentary film about oysters.

Another special event at AAM, this one on the opening day of the LIVE Festival (Sept. 30), literally whets your appetite with a VIP reception that includes freshly-shucked oysters in honor of the world premiere of A Passion for Oysters by CFF regulars Tom Horton, Dave Harp and Sandy Cannon-Brown.  The $125 ticket covers the VIP reception and all films and events during the LIVE Festival.

The Live Chesapeake Film Festival begins at noon on Sept. 30 at the historic Avalon Theatre with the Maryland Premiere of Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection, a captivating and unvarnished documentary about the singer’s tragically short life and enduring musical legacy.  The representatives of the film team, including Executive Producer Andy Streitfeld and Associate Producer Jon Gann will be present to answer questions.

Blocks of Documentary and Narrative Shorts, and the World Premiere of ICEMAN: Book One, fill your afternoon.  This thriller by award-winning filmmaker and CFF Board Member Harold Jackson follows a newly retired organized crime fixer who is pulled back in deeper than he’s ever been.

The LIVE Festival continues with the VIP reception followed by an evening of environmental films, beginning at 7:30 p.m. with A Passion for Oysters.  Disease, pollution, and overfishing have done their worst, but yet the oyster still hangs in there, helping the Bay, helping the economy and tasty as ever.  Learn about the latest efforts to save the oyster – and the watermen who have depended on it for centuries.

Between the main attractions, Maryland Filmmaker Rob Simmons rides Caroline County backroads to see just how much trash is out there in his clever short, Rob & The Little Buggie.

CFF closes the evening with Windshipped by Jon Bowermaster, a writer, filmmaker, adventurer and six-time grantee of the National Geographic Expeditions Council.  Windshipped takes you on a voyage of the 65-foot Schooner Apollonia, which has been delivering goods along the Hudson River in the non-polluting, Amazon-way: by sail.

To cap the evening, Ryan Conrath, Associate Professor of English in the film program at Salisbury University will moderate a panel with Bowermaster, Tom Horton and Dave Harp.

On Sunday Oct. 1, the LIVE Chesapeake Film Festival moves to the magnificent Ebenezer Theater in the Prager Family Center for the Arts. This recently renovated theater offers state-of-the art technology in a building that dates back to 1856 when it was the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church.

Comfortably immerse yourself in the ambience of the theater and the magic of films of all genres.  Begin at noon with The Life and Legend of Jane Goodall directed by Judith Dawn Hallet about Goodall’s life-long work with chimpanzees. Hallet will lead a discussion about Goodall and making the film about her following the screening.

Your afternoon at the Ebenezer includes a special block of nine animated shorts, including The Flying Sailor, a 2023 Academy Award nominee. This bold blend of comedy, suspense and philosophy stars a sailor who is blasted skyward after two ships collide and an explosion shatters a city.

Another block showcases the phenomenal work of students. The adventures begin with A River Called Home, which follows the journey and challenges of four women who launch at the headwaters of the James River in Virginia and paddle to the Chesapeake Bay. Director Jess Wiegandt directed the film while she was a graduate student at American University.

The closing film, The Automat, is a national sensation that makes its Maryland debut in the LIVE Chesapeake Film Festival. The film tells the 100-year-story of the iconic restaurant chain Horn & Hardart, the inspiration for Starbucks, where generations of Americans ate and drank coffee at communal tables. Director Liza Hurwitz will join us from New York to answer questions from the audience.

The exciting experience of the 16th annual Chesapeake Film Festival continues Oct. 2-8 with a free VIRTUAL Festival.  Among the treasures in the VIRTUAL trove is a beautiful film, Whitman Brook, about an abandoned apple orchard rescued by chance that thrives under the caring hands of the people driven to rejuvenate this Vermont hillside.

Other must-see films in the VIRTUAL Festival include Eroding History directed by Rona Kobell, Trashman by student Lawrence Green, Unheard Melodies by Brenna Mcdonough and Janna Allen, the immensely suspenseful Requiem by Emma Gilbertson from the United Kingdom, and Four Metagraph Animations by the talented cinematic artist Colin Goldberg.

For details about the 16th Annual LIVE and VIRTUAL Chesapeake Film Festival, please visit our website, chesapeakefilmfestival.com or contact CFF Executive Director Nancy Tabor at 443-955-9144.

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Journey Into the Imagination with the 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival

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Save the dates! The 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) will be LIVE Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at two historic venues in Easton, MD.  The Festival goes VIRTUAL October 2 through 8, bringing you more fabulous films to watch anytime, anywhere.

As we roll out our new brand “This year’s theme, Journeys into the Imagination, captures the essence of our Festival.  While the films reflect the imagination of the filmmakers, they also fuel our own imagination with insights into ourselves and our world,” said Festival Director Cid Collins Walker.

The hybrid festival begins with a LIVE weekend (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1) featuring screenings, discussions and events at the Avalon Theatre and Ebenezer Theatre, as well as an Opening Day VIP Reception at the Academy Art Museum.  As viewers take their seats in these beautifully restored venues, they are transported into the glory days of theatre.

“We want people to come for an immersive experience,” explained CFF Executive Director Nancy Tabor. “The venues, the social functions, the discussions, and the beauty of the Eastern Shore all add to the pleasure of watching great films.”

The VIRTUAL Festival (Oct. 2-8), which follows the LIVE Festival, gives film lovers another week of outstanding films to watch at their convenience.  Viewers can screen films from a variety of genres including narratives, documentaries, shorts and animations.  Take five minutes to watch a pithy short film or grab some popcorn and treat yourself to a fabulous full-length feature!

Films for both the LIVE and VIRTUAL FESTIVALS are reviewed and selected by a distinguished panel of jurors.  The Chesapeake Film Festival favors independent films with exceptionally high production values that tell a great story; films that educate, entertain, and enlighten.

INVITING ALL FILMMAKERS TO SUBMIT THEIR WORK

Dozens of superb submissions are already in for the 2023 LIVE and VIRTUAL Chesapeake Film Festival! But there is still time for filmmakers to submit their best work via FilmFreeway.  To qualify, films must be submitted by May 15 and completed after June 1, 2019.

CFF showcases films from seasoned professionals, emerging filmmakers, and students. For the first time, the Chesapeake Film Festival will be awarding a $500 prize for the best student short film.  To qualify for that prize, filmmakers must be enrolled in undergraduate studies at a college or university.

A Passion for Oysters

Films are selected for their creativity and originality, story and direction. Generally, films that are not available online – or at least not until after the Chesapeake Film Festival – are given priority for the LIVE Festival.  Highly-rated films that can be shared universally are selected for the VIRTUAL Festival that provides filmmakers and our audience with a global reach.

“We want to give our LIVE audience the opportunity to see great films that can’t see anywhere else,” explained CFF Festival Director Cid Collins Walker. “But there are exceptions to that guideline. For example, last year, we screened Roman Holiday, a 1953 film that introduced Audrey Hepburn to the world.  But we had the honor of having producer Catherine Wyler, the daughter of the legendary director William Wyler discuss the film and her father’s other Oscar-winning classics.”

Collins Walker has invited many more award-winning filmmakers to participate in the 2023 LIVE Festival.  “Talking with the people behind the scenes – the directors, cinematographers, the musicians and other wizards of the industry – is a rare and special opportunity.”

The final deadline for submitting films to the 2023 Chesapeake Film Festival is May 15 either via our website at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com or on our webpage at FilmFreeway.com Filmmakers will be notified of the jury’s decisions by June 15.

The Chesapeake Film Festival is sponsored by Enel North America, Bluepoint Hospitality, Shared Earth Foundation, Maryland State Arts Council, Artistic Insights Fund, Talbot Arts, the Maryland Film Office, Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott, Porch, and Hire A Helper. We invite other organizations and individuals to join our team. Your funds help us raise the bar even higher on an already stellar series of events.

For more information about sponsorships or to donate, please visit chesapeakefilmfestival.com or contact Executive Director, Nancy Tabor at 443-955-9144.

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The LIVE Chesapeake Film Festival STARTS TOMORROW!!

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Join us for the first day of the 2022 Chesapeake Film Festival with a fantastic VIP Reception where you can mingle with filmmakers and sponsors at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center followed by an evening of environmental films at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD.

Gifts of at least $125 gain one person entrance to the VIP Reception and the entire 3-day LIVE Festival! The evening of environmental films is $25. Tickets can be purchased online at chesapeakefilmfestival.com or at the door of the Avalon Theatre starting at 4 pm.

The environmental films that open the LIVE Festival include the World Premiere of The Search for Cooper River: A River Hidden in Plain View by local favorites Dave Harp and our own VP Sandy Cannon-Brown. The second film, Upstream, DownRiver by Maggie Stogner recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Clean Water Act.  Environmental photographer and filmmaker Michael O. Snyder caps our opening night program with a documentary about the preservation of marine life in the Arctic called Into the Dark.

NOTE: If you’ve already made a contribution for VIP tickets, please come to the Eastern Shore Conservation Center and give your name to our volunteers. They will check you off the list and give you a VIP pass for entry into the reception and ALL films of the LIVE festival.

Don’t miss our exciting opening night!

For more information, please go to ChesapeakeFilmFestival.com or contact Executive Director, Nancy Tabor at 443-955-9144.

The VIP Reception (4:30-6:00 pm) is at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center, 114 South Washington St, Easton

The Environmental films on Friday, September 30 (6:20-8:45 pm) are at the Avalon Theatre, 40 East Dover St, Easton

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Chesapeake Film Festival Continues Virtually and FREE October 3-9, 2022

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Drive up to The Automat with Mel Brooks. Go back in time on The Long Shore of the Chesapeake with Pete Lesher, curator of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.  Let Cicely Tyson introduce you to The Other Boys of Summer who played in the Negro League alongside Jackie Robinson.

Take these and other trips back in time during the Virtual Chesapeake Film Festival October 3 through October 9.  Thanks to the generous support of donors, The Virtual Festival is free to audiences around the world.  To learn more about the Virtual Festival and show your support go chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

Documentary film is just one of the genres in the Virtual Festival, which also includes narrative features and shorts, animations, and student films.  This free Festival, showcasing 48 films, is diverse, exciting and available to everyone, everywhere.  The lineup of films includes:

Documentary Features

The Automat – Directed by Lisa Hurwitz. Featuring an original new song written and performed by Mel Brooks, The Automat which premiered at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival, tells the 100-year story of the iconic restaurant chain Horn &Hardart, the inspiration for Starbucks, where generations of Americans ate and drank coffee at communal tables. From the perspective of former customers entertainer Mel Brooks, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Secretary of State Colin Powell, the Horns, the Hardarts, and key employees – we watch a business climb to its peak success and then grapple with fast food in a forever changed America.

The Other Boys of Summer – Directed by Lauren Meyer. The Other Boys of Summer explores civil rights in America through the lives of the Negro League baseball players. It is narrated by the legendary Cicely Tyson and features exclusive, never-before-seen interviews with the men and women who played alongside of Jackie Robinson and changed baseball and America forever.  This is a triumphant story about unsung American heroes pursing their dreams and succeeding against all odds. It is the ultimate underdog story with a heart of gold. Gracious and resilient, these pioneers rose above discrimination and led by example inspiring people of all ages and races.

When We Were Saints – Directed by Theodore Adams III. After 40 years, the only African American in an elite all-boys Northern Virginia prep school class opens up to his classmates and teachers about racial challenges he faced, only to discover his friends and teachers were dealing with issues of their own. One of his classmates is now Dean of the Washington National Cathedral. Teachers and Alumni of the St. Stephen’s Episcopal School for Boys Class of 1982 rediscover friendships through conversations they wish they had in high school.

Documentary Shorts

The Long Shore – Directed by Tyler Ford.  A portrait of the Chesapeake, from its beginnings during the nation’s settlement era to its evolution into a center of maritime life. Exploring the challenges faced by generations of maritimers and how the Maritime Museum is both preserving and celebrating this piece of American culture and way of life.

The Witness Tree – Directed and produced by Cesar Gonzalez. A group of children walk through the forest near Preston, Maryland to visit The Witness Tree on the former Thompson Plantation where Harriet Tubman was enslaved. After her escape, she returned to rescue her brothers, Ben, Robert and Henry Ross and others on December 24, 1854. The children are part of the Cambridge FLAG Camp, a summer program that includes classes in music, gymnastics and film that encourages campers to be fearless.

Narrative Short

Tell Me About Orange – Directed by Robin Noonan-Price. When his best girlfriend expresses her romantic feelings, a blind teenage boy struggles to express his. He realizes that sometimes love really is blind.

Animations (Curated by Nancy Tabor, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Film Festival.)

Affairs of the Art

Affairs of the Art – Directed by Joanna Quinn and Les Mills. How many obsessions can one family have? In Joanna Quinn and Les Mills’ Affairs of the Art, we reconnect with Beryl, the working-class heroine who not only reveals her own obsession with drawing but exposes the addictions of her eccentric family.

Estuary – Directed by Warren Bass. Estuary is a sparse, meditational animation with the values and attributes of a visual haiku. Its images are loosely based on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the James River. As an experimental work expressed through forms in motion, Estuary treats hand-drawn animation as an analog to dance and poetry. Concept, animation, and graphics by Warren Bass. 

Student Short 

Stop Pebble Mine –Directed by Mason Mirabile.  A story about the Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay Alaska with interviews from the World Wildlife Fund, United Tribes of Bristol Bay and Trout Unlimited.

For a complete list of the films in the Virtual Chesapeake Film Festival, go to chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.