Chesapeake Film Festival returns this October, transforming downtown Easton into a destination for film enthusiasts for its 18th season.  The festival’s unique cinema programming is also attracting VIP attendees to its extraordinary lineup of shorts, documentaries, student films, and international features.  Celebrated artists and film industry leaders attending include Baltimore native Vincent De Paul – two-time Emmy winner, director, actor and producer; John O’Hurley – actor and comedian well known for his portrayal of J. Peterman in the TV series Seinfeld; and Rebekah Louisa Smith, whose company The Film Festival Doctor transforms the lives of independent filmmakers by helping them navigate the global film festival circuit. 

Chesapeake Film Festival is hosting film screenings in iconic Easton venues, including the Ebenezer Theater, the Academy Art Museum, and the Talbot County Free Library from Oct 10 to 12. Audiences will enjoy screenings, filmmaker introductions, and live Q&As throughout the weekend.  Check the festival website for times, venues and film details.  Daily highlights include:

Day One – Friday, October 10

• The Chesapeake Film Festival (“CFF”) 2025  Opening Film, Loving Vincent, the world’s first animated fully painted feature film.  The Oscar-nominated selection was created by a team of 125 artists from around the world – Friday, Oct 10 at 12 Noon – Ebenezer Theater..
• VIP Reception  — Tides and Talent, 5:30 – 7:00PM – Ebenezer Theater
• Environmental Night – Featuring three exciting films & environmental advocate panel discussion, Ebenezer Theater – 7:30PM

 

Day Two — Saturday, October 11 

• Live Podcast with Actors and Filmmakers at the  Talbot County Free Library at 10:30AM.
  Join producer/director Kimberly Skyrme and Rose Rosen, hosts of Casting Confidential, for a dynamic live podcast with John O’Hurley, award-winning actor, host, Broadway star, and Seinfeld’s iconic “J. Peterman.” He will discuss his comedy pilot Now What? and upcoming adventure film Ring of Kibo. Both Now What and a sneak preview of Ring of Kibo will screen later that day at the Ebenezer Theater.
• High Voltage Shorts follow the breakfast, introduced by local filmmaker and producer Monda Raquel Webb.  This electrifying block of selected short films are followed by a Q&A moderated by Cedric Hill, celebrated writer, director and producer at the Academy Art Museum.
• An additional block of short films — Stories of Love and Passion will be hosted by Amber Monet, award-winning director, editor and producer.  This curated collection of shorts explores family ties, resilience, and connection at the Ebenezer Theater.
• Future filmmakers will be spotlighted in a collection of Student Shorts: Next-Gen Storytelling.  introduced by the Festival’s own Zane Jacquot, an active member of the programming and selection committee.  Jacquot will also moderate the following Q&A at the Academy Art Museum.
• Documentaries will be celebrated in two blocks, hosted by CFF’s grant writer and development committee member, Tim Smith.  Beauty Through Art – Dignity Honored, includes compelling films that explore important social issues at the Talbot County Free Library.  Rhythm, Motion, and Meaning  explores the challenges of performing artists and  is followed by a Q &A moderated by Kimberly Skyrme,, a CFF board member and veteran casting director and producer – Academy Art Museum.
• Day Two also features a block of environmental films — Water, Wildlife, and the Will to Act – hosted by CFF President and award-winning filmmaker, Irene Magafan.  The films are followed by a Q&A with Maggie Stogner and Dave Harp, acclaimed regional environmental filmmakers at the Talbot County Free Library.
• Saturday concludes with the theme Truth on Trial with the screening of Anatomy of a Fall which won Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or in 2023.  CFF’s artistic and executive director introduces the provocative selection at the Ebenezer Theater at 6:15PM.

Day Three — Sunday, October 12 

• The festival continues to celebrate an additional block of short films on Day Three with From Giggles to Goosebumps.   CFF board member Monda Raquel Webb returns to introduce this lively mix of films and to lead a filmmaker Q&A at the Ebenezer Theater.
• One Fragile Bond is the festival theme given to the Maryland Premiere of Strangers, CFF’s narrative feature and filmmaker Harold Jackson III’s intimate portrait of marriage.  The film is introduced by producer, writer and director Ted Adams III and is followed by a Q&A with Jackson at the Ebenezer Theater.
• Festival Artistic & Executive Director Cid Collins Walker introduces CFF’s closing film Holding Liat.  The director, Brandon Kramer is a Washington, DC-based filmmaker  recognized for telling personal stories about complex social issues.  This new 2025 film is a moving documentary about one family’s fight for their kidnapped loved one and the future of their homes. Ebenezer Theater, Sunday, Oct 12 at 4:15PM.

Chesapeake Film Festival invites you to join this celebrated Eastern Shore Cultural Tradition

With programs spanning love, resilience, the environment, and global justice, the 2025 Chesapeake Film Festival offers something for everyone. Tickets are still available for the popular VIP Reception from 5:30 -7:00 pm, on Friday, October 10– the festival’s opening night.  All-access pass ticket holders are VIPs and will have the opportunity to meet filmmakers, enjoy local cuisine and celebrate opening night in style.  All-Access Passes are available at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. In addition to the VIP opening event, the pass includes admission to all films, speakers and panels throughout the three-day film festival.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, partners, and patrons for making this event possible.

For tickets and full schedule, visit ChesapeakeFilmFestival.com.

   October 10 Opening Night begins with “An Evening in Focus: Where Nature Speaks”

Easton, MD — September 1, 2025— The Chesapeake Film Festival launches its 18th season with an unforgettable Environmental Night on Friday, October 10 at the Ebenezer Theater in Easton, Maryland. The opening night program begins with the popular VIP Reception from 5:30 -7:00 pm.  This year’s reception theme is “Tides and Talent”, reflecting the Festival’s eastern shore roots and its many regional festival contributors.  All-access pass ticket holders are VIPs and will have the opportunity to meet filmmakers, enjoy local cuisine and celebrate opening night in style.  All-Access Passes are now available at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. In addition to the VIP opening event, the pass includes admission to all films, speakers and panels throughout the three-day film festival.

Chesapeake Film Festival’s official 2025 environmental screenings begin after the reception, with “An Evening in Focus:  Where Nature Speaks”, hosted by Irene Magafan, CFF President and documentary filmmaker. The special evening of environmental films is generously sponsored by Shared Earth Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. The program features three acclaimed environmental films:

• The  Maryland premier of Women of Impact – Kenya, produced by the World Wildlife Fund.  This inspiring short film spotlights four Kenyan women leading community-based conservation projects.
• As wild salmon populations in Idaho approach extinction, The Grand Salmon documents the 1,000 mile kayak expedition by three women to conquer four dams, trace the salmon migration and explore solutions to restoring the dwindling population.

• Directed by CFF’s president Irene Magafan and narrated by Ashley Judd, The Bonobo Connection explores bonobo apes’ peaceful matriarchal societies and the urgent need for conservation in the Congo.

The screenings will be followed by a Q&A with acclaimed environmental filmmakers Maggie Stogner and Dave Harp, moderated by CFF’s Irene Magafan.  Stogner is a professor of Film and Media Arts at American University in Washington, DC and is the Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking.   In a series of award-winning films, Harp has documented the beauty, challenges and evolution of the Chesapeake Bay for over 50 years.  

Harp’s film Chesapeake Rhythms joins a series of additional environmental films that are featured throughout the festival, including:

Saturday, October 11

• From Mountains to Shorelines featuring the US film On Water’s Edge and Look Down Not Up from Nepal.    A Q&A with filmmaker Yehuda Goldman follows the screenings.
• Water, Wildlife, and the Will to Act featuring US films One Bad Crab, Upstream, Downriver and Chesapeake Rhythms.  Irene Magafan, CFF President will moderate as Maggie Stogner and David Harp will team up again to host a follow up Q&A.  

Sunday, October 12 

• Breaking Boundaries: Revealing Truths featuring the Canadian film, The Rewilders.

“Environmental films are always a key pillar of the Chesapeake Film Festival.  Year after year, it’s an honor to not only spotlight the content of these inspiring films, but to showcase our amazing local filmmakers, in addition to passionate filmmakers from around the world.  Their creativity and vision as environmental documentarians are a compelling call to action”, remarked Cid Collins Walker, festival executive director.

 For tickets and to explore full program details, visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

Upcoming Festival Highlights & Key Dates

• September 13 – Free Community Preview Event: WYETH – 2PM — Talbot County Free Library
• October 10 – Noon — Opening Film – Loving Vincent, Ebenezer Theater
• October 10 – 5:30 pm – VIP Reception;  7 pm — Environmental Night, Ebenizer Theater
• October 10 to 12 – Ebenezer Theater, Academy Art Museum and Talbot County Free Library – For Tickets and information visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

CFF programming is brought to you by our generous sponsors Bluepoint Hospitality, the Shared Earth Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Maryland Humanities Council, The Artistic Insights Fund, Maxine Millar, Harley Gates, Philip and Karen Morrison, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, Al and Eleanor Smith, Thomas and Bill Lucks,  Talbot County Free Library, Laser Letters, Red Zeppelin Productions, Martin Zell, Gayle Matthei and by generous patrons like you.  2025 CFF Sponsoring hotels include The Tidewater Inn, Inn at Perry Cabin, Sandaway Suites & Beach and Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott.

Collaboration with The Talbot Spy lets film buffs enjoy sneak peaks and discussions with  Festival’s award-winning producers and directors 

The Chesapeake Film Festival (‘CFF”) is thrilled to announce a  dynamic new media partnership with The Talbot Spy! Together, CFF is launching an exclusive  monthly podcast series packed with the latest festival news, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with the creative minds behind this year’s films. Get insider access to  filmmakers, producers, and directors, and don’t miss special appearances by industry standouts  like, Rebekah Louisa Smith, The Pearl Comb, Spirit of Place and When Everything Was Blue, Kimberly Skyrme, Now What?, The Other You and Lives Beyond Motion, Harold Jackson, The  Novelist, Monda Raquel Webb, Mother Knows Best and Francisco Salazar, Colibri. Subscribe to  The Talbot Spy, follow Chesapeake Film Festival on social media, or visit our website  www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com and subscribe to receive news to catch every exciting  episode!  

Early Bird Tickets are now on sale 

Save your seat and save money by purchasing early-bird tickets to the Chesapeake Film  Festival, October 10-12, showcasing over 45 of the finest independent and student films in  historic downtown Easton. Enjoy 17% off the standard $150 ticket price and guarantee yourself  a seat at the Festival’s top screenings at the beautifully renovated Ebenezer Theater, the  Academy Art Museum, and the Talbot County Free Library. Tickets sold out online for the 2024  festival almost a month prior to opening night, so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot today. Click  here for online registration www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. 

Free Monthly Film Series Continues at the Talbot County Free Library and Oxford  Community Center 

The Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) and the Talbot County Free Library launched their  collaborative monthly film series in March, celebrating the Library’s 100th Anniversary and  CFF’s 18th Season.  

Coming up next: Wicked on June 21 at 2 PM, followed by Jaws on July 12 at 2 PM,  and Avatar: The Way of Water on Saturday, August 2 at 2 PM—all held at the Talbot County 

Free Library in historic downtown Easton. Part of the Our Bay, Our World, Our Festival series,  these screenings are perfect midweek and weekend cultural escapes, with selections for all ages. 

In addition, a special free screening of Hidden Figures will take place at the Oxford  Community Center on Wednesday, August 6 at 6 PM. This powerful film honors the  contributions of African American women mathematicians at NASA during the space race. 

The series wraps with a free, back-by-popular-demand screening of the American  Masters documentary WYETH on Saturday, September 13 at 2 PM, celebrating the life and  work of American realist painter Andrew Wyeth. 

Upcoming Film Highlights & Key Dates 

• June 21: Wicked —2PM – Talbot County Free Library 
• July 12: Jaws – 2PM — Talbot County Free Library, 2PM 
• August 2: Avatar the Way of Water – 2PM — Talbot County Free Library • August 6: Hidden Figures – 6PM — The Oxford Community Center with panel  discussion  
• September 13: WYETH – 2PM — Talbot County Free Library 
• October 10 to 12 – Chesapeake Film Festival – Ebenezer Theater, Academy Art  Museum and Talbot County Free Library – For Tickets and information visit  www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com 

All June, July, August and September screenings are free and open to the public. No  reservations required.  

CFF programming is brought to you by our generous sponsors the Maryland State Arts Council,  Talbot Arts, Maryland Humanities Council, The Artistic Insights Fund, Richard and Beverly  Tilghman, Talbot County Free Library, The William Lucks Professional Group powered by  Keller Williams Realty, Laser Letters and by generous patrons like you.  

For more information on how to become a sponsor or volunteer or to purchase tickets, please  visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. 

The new President of the Chesapeake Film Festival, “CFF”, wants us to know she is thrilled about the Festival’s upcoming season!  Irene A. Magafan, a celebrated independent filmmaker herself, is a past and current member of the organization’s programming committee, which reviews and selects from hundreds of submissions from around the world each year.  As CFF President, she is now in a position to further contribute to and guide the legacy of this established creative stalwart in the Eastern Shore’s cultural landscape.

“Regional film festivals like CFF are an essential bridge between filmmakers and audiences.  We have the power to discover and elevate films and the platform to engage and inspire audiences.   As a filmmaker, it’s just thrilling to be able to participate in curating the upcoming season and to see how this remarkable organization works behind the scenes with our communities, universities, as well as cultural and environmental organizations to offer such inspiring programming,” states Magafan.

When the Chesapeake Film Festival’s Board of Directors recently voted in Magafan as its new president, the festival recognized both her talent as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and her passion for storytelling.  In addition, the board was tapping into her belief that cinema can be a powerful tool to spark dialogue and change, especially in the areas of the natural world and social justice.  Magafan knows how to attract both filmmakers and audiences.  She is a Senior Video Specialist and Editor at the World Wildlife Fund and has a resume that includes the award-winning documentary The Bonobo Connection, narrated by Hollywood actor and activist Ashley Judd.   The film also inspired Magafan’s TedTalk on how bonobos apes are our closest living relatives, and one of the most peaceful animals on Earth.   The Bonobo Connection will be shown on CFF’s popular Opening Night of environmental films with a panel discussion following the screening.

“We’ve always been grateful for CFF’s terrific leadership over the years.  Having a filmmaking pro like Irene guiding us this season makes us confident that our programming will continue to be entertaining and compelling to all who attend the festival in downtown Easton this fall,” shares Cid Collins, CFF Executive and Artistic Director.

Early Bird Tickets are now on sale.

Save your seat and save money by purchasing early-bird tickets to the Chesapeake Film Festival, October 10-12, showcasing over 40 of the finest independent and student films in historic downtown Easton.  Enjoy 17% off the standard $150 ticket price and guarantee yourself a seat at the Festival’s top screenings at the beautifully renovated Ebenezer Theater, the Academy Art Museum, and the Talbot County Free Library.  The early-bird deadline is August 15.  Tickets sold out online for the 2024 festival almost a month prior to opening night, so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot today.  Click here for online registration www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

Submissions are open on the Chesapeake Film Festival filmmakers’ portal – FilmFreeway 

Filmmakers worldwide are invited to showcase their work and become part of the fastest-growing, prestigious film festival on the Eastern Shore.  We offer outstanding filmmakers, experienced and emerging, a forum to showcase and discuss stories of compelling interest to our local and global community. Every year the Festival reviews and rates hundreds of film submissions – in 2024 that included over 200 films from 30 states and six countries.  CFF’s goal is to curate a fresh, compelling and diverse program that spans features, environmental films, documentaries, shorts, animation and student films.  The festival is accepting submissions on the Chesapeake Film Festival website or filmmakers’ portal on FilmFreeway – https://filmfreeway.com/chesapeakefilmfestival.  

Film Categories Include:

• Environmental Features and Short
• International Features and Documentaries
• Narrative Features
• Documentaries
• Spotlight on Maryland
• Student Shorts
• Animations

Key Dates to Remember:

• Regular Submission Deadline: June 1, 2025
• Extended Submission Deadline: June 21, 2025
• Notification Date: July 7, 2025

Festival Dates: October 10, 11, and 12, 2025

Venues: Ebenezer Theater, Academy Art Museum, and Talbot County Free Library

Free Monthly Film Series Continues with Conclave, May 12

The Chesapeake Film Festival (CFF) and the Talbot County Free Library began our collaborative monthly film series in March in celebration of the library’s 100th Anniversary and CFF’s 18th Season.  Don’t miss our May feature film – Conclave – on May 21.  In light of Pope Francis’ recent passing, this award-winning film transports us into the traditions and processes of selecting new global leaders of the Roman Catholic Church.   

Free to the public, this monthly series — Our Bay, Our World, Our Festival — features a captivating lineup of high-profile films at the Talbot County Free Library in historic downtown Easton.  Upcoming screenings begin at 6 PM for the next Saturday screening and at 2PM for the June Saturday date, offering perfect midweek and weekend cultural escapes, as well as a wonderful film for younger audiences in June. 

Upcoming Film Highlights & Key Dates

• May 21: Conclave — Dive into the intrigue of this Oscar-nominated film starring Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, a gripping narrative of power and secrecy.

• June 21: Wicked — Get ready for a wild and wonderful cinematic journey with this theatrical masterpiece starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jeff Goldblum.

All screenings are free and open to the public. No reservations required. Film starts at 6PM in May & 2PM in June.  Call the library at (410) 822-1626 for more information. 

CFF programming is brought to you by our generous sponsors Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Talbot County Free Library, Maryland Humanities Council, The Artistic Insights Fund, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, The William Lucks Professional Group powered by Keller Williams Realty, Laser Letters and by generous patrons like you.

For more information and ticket purchase, please visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.