Celebrating the Award-Winning Films
and Filmmakers of CFF 2026
The Chesapeake Film Festival is proud to celebrate the outstanding films and talented filmmakers recognized with awards during our 19th Season, October 8–10, 2026. These exceptional works exemplify the creativity, vision, and independent spirit that define our festival and reflect the power of film to entertain, educate, empower, and inspire.
This year’s award-winning films represent compelling storytelling, fresh perspectives, and meaningful explorations of the people, communities, and issues that shape our world. We congratulate each filmmaker for their excellence in their field and thank all the filmmakers whose remarkable work made this year’s festival such a memorable celebration of independent cinema.
We invite you to discover our 2026 Award-Winning Films and join us in recognizing the artists whose stories continue to move us, challenge us, and broaden our understanding of the world.
Congratulations to our 2026 award winners!
Stories. Voices. Action.
2026 Chesapeake Film Festival Award Winning
Films and Filmmakers
- Jury Prize
Dream Touch Believe
Directed by Jenna Naranjo Winters - Best Documentary Feature
Loving John
Directed by Robert Rooy - Best Environmental Short
Frozen Frames: Murphy’s Yellowstone
Directed by Allison Argo - Best International Feature
Bola
Directed by Ryan Nichols - Best Narrative Short
The Heir
Directed by Tia Smith - Best Comedy Feature
Show Business
Directed by Alexander Tovaer - Best International Short
Gallina
Directed by Fernando Reinaldos - Best Student Film
The Silent Retreat
Directed by Mason Mirabile - Best Spotlight on Maryland Film
Lifeblood: Chesapeake River Stories
Directed by Sarah Sampson - Audience Award
Loving John
Directed by Robert Rooy - Honorable Mentions
Nio Ko Bokk (This Belongs to All of Us)
Directed by David Clancy
Forever Home
Directed by Allison Argo
The Petal Pusher
Directed by David Abel
The Right Whale
Directed by Nick and Cheryl Dean
The Muse
Directed by Wanda Nolan
Jury Prize award winner Jenna Naranjo Winters,
director of Dream, Touch, Believe.
Best Comedy Feature Award Winner Alexander Tovaer,
|director of Show Business.
Check out this interview with Marlyn Facey
View Trailers for the 2026 Festival
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Sponsors
The Chesapeake Film Festival is generously supported by Bluepoint Hospitality, the Shared Earth Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, Maryland Humanities Council, Maryland Film Office, Mid-Shore Community Foundation/The Artistic Insights Fund, Shore United Bank, 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, Robert Morris Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott.