Set in the historic eastern shore town of Easton, MD the Chesapeake Film Festival is the perfect location for established and aspiring filmmakers eager to showcase their storytelling artistry to audiences hungry to be moved, enlightened and entertained. Entering it’s 11th year, the festival has been an industry favorite drawing audiences from small towns, as well as, nearby Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.
The Chesapeake Film Festival honors leaders in the film industry, from directors and producers to actors, screenwriters, entertainment journalists, personalities and editors. Previous festival honorees and filmmakers include Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, John G. Avildsen, John O’Hurley, George Stephanopoulous, Paul Lingas, Sandy Cannon-Brown, Tom Horton, Dave Harp, Jess Jacklin and Lynn Tomlinson. The Chesapeake Film Festival offers a diverse community of filmmakers, experts and audiences who engage in dynamic panel discussions to enrich the film experience.
As the Festival launches its second decade this October 12-14, we have expanded our shorts programming, added slots for narrative and documentary features with the highest production value, and expanded environmental and student programming.
In addition to moving audiences with compelling scripted dramas and comedies, the Chesapeake Film Festival aims to shed light on topics that impact the Maryland Eastern Shore community, as well as the nation, especially in the areas of social justice, including the African American experience, climate change, the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay, and the influence of the arts on American life.
The beautifully restored Avalon Theater, built as a cinema in 1921 is located in historic downtown Easton and serves as the primary venue for festival films and events. The Chesapeake Film Festival supports independent filmmaking by giving emerging talents relief from the large number of submission fees they face in their quest for recognition. The festival waives submission fees for student films until June 15. Waivers for other categories are granted by invitation only.
Festival Awards will be given for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Student Short films. Awards will also be given for Best Actor and Best Actress, Best Director and Best Editor. Other special awards categories may further be announced.
