The 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF) has named A Beautiful Lie an official finalist, adding the character-driven short film to this year’s competition celebrating independent storytelling and emerging creative voices.
Directed by Tiffany Yvonne Cox and produced by Tarnesha Small, the 20-minute, 59-second production stars Small alongside Jon Chaffin and Schwanda Winston.
The film joins the festival’s finalist lineup ahead of PVIFF’s Nov. 5-8 gathering in Atlanta, where filmmakers, entertainment professionals and audiences will come together for screenings, industry conversations, educational programming and awards.
When the Truth Changes Everything
At the center of A Beautiful Lie is Teri Lewis, a woman who appears to have built the life she always wanted.
Her seemingly stable world begins to fracture when an unexpected visitor arrives, bringing carefully concealed truths closer to the surface.
As relationships unravel and loyalties are tested, Teri must confront painful realities that challenge her understanding of love, trust and her own identity.
The story examines the emotional consequences of deception and the difficult choices that emerge when long-held beliefs collide with uncomfortable truths.
Rather than relying solely on the revelation of secrets, the film’s premise places its central character at an emotional crossroads, where preserving the life she knows may require confronting the very realities she has tried to avoid.
Meet the Creative Team
Tiffany Yvonne Cox directs A Beautiful Lie, with Tarnesha Small serving as producer and appearing as a member of the principal cast.
The film also features performances by Jon Chaffin and Schwanda Winston.
With a runtime of just under 21 minutes, the production presents its story of personal revelations and shifting relationships in a short-film format.
The selection places the project among the independent productions recognized by PVIFF for its 2026 festival competition.
PVIFF Finalists Compete Through Judging and Audience Engagement
The 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival is incorporating a combination of professional judging and audience participation into its finalist evaluation process.
Under the festival’s announced structure, 70% of a finalist’s overall competition score will come from evaluations by judges representing PVIFF and JaroGO. The remaining 30% will be determined by audience engagement through the JaroGO streaming platform.
Participating finalist films will be presented on JaroGO for a limited competition viewing period, giving audiences an opportunity to watch, rate, and comment on the selected productions.
The initiative extends the festival experience beyond traditional screenings while providing participating filmmakers with opportunities to introduce their work to additional audiences.
JaroGO is available on iOS and Android in the United States and Canada.
About the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival
Founded in 2005, the Peachtree Village International Film Festival has established itself as a platform for independent filmmakers, actors, producers, writers, and entertainment professionals seeking opportunities to connect, collaborate, and showcase their creative work.
Operating under its guiding philosophy, “It Takes a Village,” PVIFF combines film screenings and awards with industry panels, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and professional development programming.
The 2026 festival is scheduled for Nov. 5-8 in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing its commitment to supporting independent voices and expanding access within the entertainment industry.
A Beautiful Lie enters this year’s competition as an official finalist, with award results to be determined through the festival’s judging and audience-engagement process.
For additional information about PVIFF 2026, visit https://www.pviffatl.com/.
Film at a Glance
Title: A Beautiful Lie
Director: Tiffany Yvonne Cox
Producer: Tarnesha Small
Cast: Tarnesha Small, Jon Chaffin, Schwanda Winston
Runtime: 20 minutes, 59 seconds
Festival Status: Official Finalist — PVIFF 2026
Festival Dates: Nov. 5-8, 2026
Festival Location: Atlanta, Georgia
