WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
JULY 2016 NEWSLETTER

Join us October 13-16, 2016
for the 17th Annual WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL



WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL POSTER PRESENTATION
SET FOR SATURDAY JULY 16 AT 3 PM

The WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL and the ELENA ZANG GALLERY would like to cordially invite you to a special presentation of the artwork for its official 2016 poster by renowned artist Mary Frank, on Saturday July 16 at 3pm, at the Elena Zang Gallery, 3671 NY-212, in Shady, NY. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at http://bit.ly/posterreveal

Mary Frank has been the subject of numerous solo museum and gallery exhibitions over the years. Hayden Herrera is the author of Mary Frank, a major survey of Mary Frank’s work that was published in 1990 by Abrams, New York. Shadows of Africa, a collaboration between the artist and poet Peter Matthiessen, was published by Abrams in 1992

Past poster artists for the Woodstock Film Festival include Joy Buran and Noelle Melody (2015), Michael Dubois (2014), Scott Michael Ackerman (2013), Bill Miller (2012), Kathy Ruttenberg (2011), Portia Munson (2010), Milton Glaser (2009), Karen Whitman (2008), Peter Max (2007), and many others.

Signed limited edition prints and posters, as well as t-shirts, hats and commemorative merchandise are available for purchase at THE FILM CENTER at 13 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY or on the Woodstock Film Festival website


NEWTOWN SPECIAL SCREENING - AUGUST 24

The Woodstock Film Festival will present a very special screening of Newtown on August 24 at 8:15 pm, courtesy of Abramorama. The film will be co-presented with Upstate Films at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck. The film will be followed by an in-person Q&A with director Kim A. Snyder and producer Maria Cuomo Cole.


Filmed over the course of nearly three years, the filmmakers use unique access and never before heard testimonies to tell a story of the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history on December 14, 2012. Newtown documents a traumatized community fractured by grief and driven toward a sense of purpose. Joining the ranks of a growing club to which no one wants to belong, a cast of characters interconnect to weave an intimate story of community resilience.

“You won’t truly understand gun violence until you see the Newtown documentary.” - Esquire

“A breathtaking gut punch. This film is an important historical record, and an important reminder of an event in American history that could have changed everything, that should have changed everything. Newtown is a crucial reminder of that.” - Indiewire

“Arguably the most timely festival film this year.” - Entertainment Weekly

Purchase tickets to what promises to be a powerful and eye-opening night here.


DAVID LINDE ANNOUNCED AS 2016 TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENT

The Woodstock Film Festival’s Trailblazer Award is given to a leader in the film and media arts industry who has carved innovative paths in the business, establishing independent vision, affecting social change, and creating strong and widespread appreciation of quality, substantive filmmaking. The Trailblazer Award will be presented to David Linde on Saturday, October 15, at the Woodstock Film Festival’s Maverick Awards Ceremony at Backstage Studio Productions in Kingston, NY.

Linde is CEO of Participant Media, a global company dedicated to media that inspires social change and recently won the Best Picture Oscar® for Spotlight. The company’s upcoming slate includes Peter Berg’s Deepwater Horizon (Lionsgate); J.A. Bayona’s A Monster Calls (Focus Features); Pablo Larrain’s Neruda; Derek Cianfrance’s The Light Between Oceans (DreamWorks Pictures/Disney); Denial, starring Academy Award®- winner Rachel Weisz (Bleecker Street); Middle School, based on James Patterson’s best-seller series (CBS Films); and Alex Gibney’s Zero Days (Magnolia Pictures). In addition to narrative films and documentaries, Participant has launched more than a dozen original series for its television network Pivot, as well as creating content daily for the digital hub TakePart, which serves millions of socially conscious consumers monthly.

Other Honorary Award Recipients to be announced. Juried awards will also be given to filmmakers in various competition categories. Tickets for the Maverick Awards Gala & Ceremony can be purchased here.

For ticket information, and for the latest program updates, please visit our website.


Life, animated

LIFE, ANIMATED was shown on June 11, 2016 at a Woodstock Film Festival special screening, courtesy of The Orchard. The film opened in theaters on July 1. Visit their website for information on future screenings.

 LIFE, ANIMATED is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence. The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Owen was a thriving three year old who suddenly and inexplicably went silent – and for years after remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires.  Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like THE LITTLE MERMAID and THE LION KING, Owen found useful tools to help him to understand complex social cues and to re-connect with the world around him.


the debt

Barney Elliott's THE DEBT (formerly Oliver's Deal) was shown at the 2015 Woodstock Film Festival, where it won the GIGANTIC PICTURES Best Feature Narrative Award. The film is now in theaters, with an on-demand release coming on July 8 and a DVD release following on September 13. Visit their website for more information.

Set against a backdrop of international finance and intrigue in New York and Peru, THE DEBT weaves an intricate tapestry of exploits, corruption, familial bonds, and human redemption that is as heartrending as it is troubling. Oliver Campbell, an American businessman played sympathetically by Stephen Dorff, finds himself torn between the icy corporate CEO portrayed to the tee by Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, and the poverty stricken Peruvian boy who tends the family's sheep and llamas while dreaming of a new life. Though cold hard greed propels the story, the suffering that eventually seeps in alters the trajectory and softens the hearts of some of the more hardcore characters. In this intense drama that keeps you speculating throughout the interwoven stories, we see people from vastly different walks of life facing situations no one has prepared them for. With a gifted international and American cast and outstanding cinematography, director Barney Elliot tells a story that is unpredictable, emotional and ultimately questioning whether the end can justify the means.


I dream too much

I DREAM TOO MUCH was shown at the 2015 Woodstock Film Festival and was filmed in the Hudson Valley. The film is now available on VOD and iTunes. Visit their website for more information.

Like many recent college grads, Dora (Edith Brolin) doesn't know what to do with her life. She spends most of her time in daydreams about traveling the globe and becoming a romantic poet, while her overly practical mother is more focused on her daughter staying at home in New Jersey to prepare for the LSATs. After learning her great-aunt Vera (Oscar Winner Diane Ladd) is injured and requires assistance at her home in Upstate NY, Dora jumps at the chance to escape, hoping to find her true calling. I Dream Too Much, the sophomore feature from director Katie Cokinos, is a light-hearted, dreamy story of self-discovery that initiates a candid relationship between two artistic, intelligent women two generations apart. In the time they spend together, both Dora and Vera will learn that no matter your age, now is always a good time to follow your dreams.


growing up smith

GROWING UP SMITH (formerly Good Ol' Boy) was shown at the 2015 Woodstock Film Festival where it received the Audience Award for BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE. The film, which was produced in the Hudson Valley is coming to theaters this September. Visit their website for more information.

The year is 1979, when life was simpler but families were still complex, and an Indian family moves to America hoping to live the American Dream. Reminiscent of The Wonder Years, Growing Up Smith is an endearing coming-of-age story, where 10-year-old Smith falls for the girl next door and is caught between his family's Hindu traditions and his desire to become a "good old boy." While the children and their stories take the lead, Growing Up Smith challenges the stereotypical notion of both traditional Indian and predictable redneck families as the patriarchs help tell a compelling tale of the struggles of parenthood and married life for anyone of any race or background. By initially treating the characters as caricatures of themselves, we're given the chance to laugh with them as we watch how the depth of their characters and love for their families evolve.

Adding to the mix, director Frank Lotito brilliantly incorporates the soundtrack as a character throughout, including Johnny Cash's Don't Take Your Gun to Town, when all-American dad Butch takes his vegetarian neighbor on a big game hunting trip. No matter what your background, all it takes to fall in love with this movie is an open mind and an open heart.

 


how he fell in love

HOW HE FELL IN LOVE was shown at the 2015 Woodstock Film Festival and filmed in the Hudson Valley. The film is coming to theaters on July 8. Visit their website for more information.

A romantic drama about forbidden romance, How He Fell in Love is a story of love doomed to failure. Struggling young musician Travis (Matt McGorry of Orange Is the New Blackand How to Get Away With Murder) has fallen head over heels for the beautiful, older, married yoga teacher Ellen (Amy Hargreaves of Blue Ruin and Homeland). Alternating between vulnerability and pulsating sexuality, McGorry and Hargreaves seduce the audience with an impossible love story that is mesmerizing to watch. With New York City as the backdrop to their love, and a steamy getaway to the country as added spice to their already hot relationship, the lovers traverse this dangerous road with alternating abandon and control. Supported by veteran character actor Mark Blum, who delivers a touching performance as Henry, the jilted husband, that comes to an emotional peak in the film's climax. Will new love or old relationships persevere?

 


The films above were either produced in the Hudson Valley, shown at the Woodstock Film Festival in years' past, or both. These films are streaming RIGHT NOW on netflix.com. Click on their corresponding picture to check them out!


The Woodstock Film Festival welcomes back 120db Films.

120db Films is a finance company specializing in gap, pre-sale, tax credit, finishing, P&A and bridge loans to the entertainment industry. Since inception, 120db Films has financed over fifty five films. Their primary goal is assisting producers that have already raised a substantial portion of their required capital, to complete the necessary funding and close.

The principals at 120db Films appreciate that each film is unique in terms of its financial structure and requirements, and are committed to working expeditiously with an open mind regarding terms and conditions. They do, however, strictly adhere to a "last in-first out," secured financing model. While they do not provide equity, they do have relationships with multiple parties that provide mezzanine loans, and would be happy to make introductions for compelling projects that they endorse.


THANK YOU NEWSLETTER ADVERTISERS!

We would like to also extend a thank you to our official 2016 WFF sponsors and three advertisers who joined us for year-round Newsletter support: Mid- Hudson Limo, Sunflower Natural Foods Market, and Waterside Getaways!