North Fork TV Festival, County Partner To Amp Up Vaccinations

NORTH FORK, NY — As yet another way to incentivize vaccinations, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced a partnership Monday with the North Fork TV Festival, which will be taking place for its sixth year in Greenport this summer.

Residents who get vaccinated at county-run vaccination sites will be automatically entered into a raffle for movie showings and events during the annual North Fork TV Festival, which takes place from August 4 to 6, Bellone said.

“The North Fork TV Festival is once again making its way to Suffolk County, and with a variety of talented actors, producers, and television professionals, it is one of the most sought-after events of the year,” said Bellone. “The COVID-19 vaccine is the tool that is making events like this once again possible, so we need our residents to continue to roll up their sleeves."

Bellone headed to the North Fork in May to launch the "Lift Your Spirit, Take Your Shot" initiative, which gives ticket for a free glass of wine, beer, tasting, or cocktail at participating businesses to those who got vaccinated.

The North Fork TV Festival incentive is the next phase of the #TakeYourShot initiative, Bellone said.

"In Suffolk County, we are getting creative to give our residents who may be a little hesitant the nudge they need to keep our communities safe and healthy," Bellone said. "By getting vaccinated at a county site, not only are you protecting yourself and your loved ones, now you will have the chance to score tickets to this world-class event.”

As part of the partnership, five pairs of tickets to the festival, for a total of 10 tickets, will be reserved for individuals who get vaccinated at a county-run site from Monday until the middle of June. Winners, who must be 18 or older, will be randomly selected and notified by the county, Bellone said.

“Suffolk County has always been a strong supporter of the festival, and as a native of Commack, I am thankful for the opportunity to return the generosity by encouraging our neighbors to get their shots,” said festival founder Noah Doyle. “As we fight to emerge safely from the pandemic, this is such a meaningful partnership for our festival."

Doyle said he and event organizers stand with Suffolk County in helping residents to get vaccinated.

"That will help everyone join us in-person — and safely — for fun-filled activities in Greenport this August," he said.

To date, more than 796,000 Suffolk County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, Bellone said.

In other vaccination efforts, Suffolk County also provides free transportation to county vaccination sites for seniors, veterans, and anyone who is driving impaired; will continue to offer free drinks at select establishments for anyone 21 and over who is vaccinated during the month of May at a county vaccine site; and has made a $200,000 county investment to launch Phase 2 of the “Take Your Shot’ educational campaign, Bellone said.

In its sixth year, The North Fork TV Festival "celebrates the evolution of television and independent television while convening the innovative minds of executives, directors, writers, and actors alike," a release said. "Held annually in Greenport, the festival supports independent program development and embraces exciting, innovative voices from around the world."

Last summer, the pandemic couldn't stop the arts from flourishing on the North Fork as the organizers of the North Fork TV Festival teamed up with the Castello di Borghese Vineyard for a drive-in event.

"2020 has been a year no one expected, but we are proud to have found a safe way to celebrate the 2020 North Fork TV Festival at the Borghese Vineyard with our great community and partners," said Doyle at the time.

Speaking with Patch in 2020, Doyle described how his dream for the festival was born: Six years ago, he and his wife Lauren were living in Greenport, dividing their time between the North Fork and Manhattan.

"We wanted to create a festival celebrating independent television production. The reason we picked Greenport is because that's where we live and we love the village. We've been going to the Sundance Film Festival for years, and Greenport reminds us very much of Park City, Utah, with its local independently-owned theater and waterfront."

The NFTV Festival, Doyle said, was about creating a destination, an annual weekend where attendees could celebrate independent artists.

Over six years, he's seen his vision flourish, due in large part to talented artists and the quality of the "phenomenal" TV pilots submitted, as well as an engaged community, Doyle said.

"It keeps getting bigger and bigger," he said. And even during the coronavirus pandemic, the vision never wavered. "You have to roll with the punches," he said.

Keeping the arts alive was critical during unprecedented times, Doyle said. "Arts are the key to a community," he said. "Arts is what makes excitement."