WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
JULY NEWSLETTER, PART II

Join us October 11-15, 2017
for the 18th Annual WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL




The Woodstock Film Festival is proud to unveil the 2017 poster for the festival's 18th year. This year's poster was designed by Naomi Graphics from a concept by Alison Grant. To purchase your 2017 poster, visit woodstockfilmfestival.com/wff_store/souvenirs.php

The Woodstock Film Festival had an exciting start to the summer with three Saturdays of screenings in July. Thank you to all who were able to attend any or all of the screenings. Stay tuned for more announcements and events throughout the summer.

Meira Blaustein with Michael Lang and John Edginton at the JOE COCKER: MAD DOG WITH SOUL screening

Meira Blaustein with Michael Lang and John Edginton at the JOE COCKER: MAD DOG WITH SOUL screening


On July 8, a full house at Upstate Films Woodstock enjoyed JOE COCKER: MAD DOG WITH SOUL, an intimate look at the whirlwind life of the late rock legend Joe Cocker. Director John Edginton and 1969 Woodstock Music Festival co-promoter Michael Lang joined us after the film for a Q&A led by Meira Blaustein, executive director of the Woodstock Film Festival. Listen to John Edginton's WAMC interview here.

 

 

Meira Blaustein with Sabine Hoffman and Kyra Sedgwick at the STORY OF A GIRL screening

Meira Blaustein with Sabine Hoffman and Kyra Sedgwick at the STORY OF A GIRL screening

The momentum and excitement from our first screening carried on throughout the month. On July 15, another sold out audience enjoyed STORY OF A GIRL at Upstate Films Woodstock. The film's director, Kyra Sedgwick, and editor, Sabine Hoffman, held a Q&A session after the film. STORY OF A GIRL, starring Kevin Bacon, was Kyra Sedgwick's directorial debut, and we were honored to screen her film before its Lifetime television premiere on July 23. Listen to Kyra Sedgwick's WAMC interview here.

Sharon Van Etten and Katherine Dieckmann at the STRANGE WEATHER Q&A

Sharon Van Etten and Katherine Dieckmann at the STRANGE WEATHER Q&A

On July 22, STRANGE WEATHER, was followed by a Q&A with film director Katherine Dieckmann and surprise guest Sharon Van Etten who composed the music for the film. The audience at Upstate Films Woodstock was deeply moved by Dieckmann's beautiful film starring Academy Award winning actress Holly Hunter. Couldn't come to the screening? Don't worry! STRANGE WEATHER comes to select theaters in 10 cities and video on demand on July 28

Our event-packed July is not over yet! On July 29 at 6pm head to the Woodstock Lodge for the Paul Green Rock Academy's Giving Back Concert Series at the Lodge, a benefit concert for the Woodstock Film Festival. In 2002 Paul Green founded the world famous School of Rock, and in 2011 he joined the Woodstock Film Festival as the Music Coordinator. Doors open at 6pm and the concert begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the door for $10. We would like to thank the Paul Green Rock Academy for supporting the Woodstock Film Festival.

Tickets are available at the door for $10


WALKING OUT-August 12, 2pm

The Woodstock Film Festival is thrilled to announce another screening at Upstate Films Woodstock this summer. On August 12 at 2pm there will be a special screening of WALKING OUT written and directed by Woodstock Film Festival alum Alex Smith and his brother Andrew Smith. The film starring Matt Bomer is an adaptation of the American short story of the same title about a teenager's journey to Montana to hunt with his estranged "off the grid" father. The film will be followed by a Q&A session with Andrew and Alex Smith. The brothers previously worked together on WINTER IN THE BLOOD, which appeared at the 2013 Woodstock Film Festival and earned an honorable mention at the Maverick Awards.

"The 96-minute drama was written and directed by two Montana brothers, Alex and Andrew Smith. It tells the story of a divorced father and his estranged 14-year-old son, who comes to visit for a winter hunting trip. A struggle to understand each other becomes a struggle for survival, following a surprise encounter deep in the mountains."-James Rainey, Variety.

WALKING OUT appeared at Sundance in 2017 and was nominated for a Grand Jury prize. Thanks to IFC, the Woodstock Film Festival is able to screen the film before its official release date. IFC will release WALKING OUT on October 5, 2017.

Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. 

We cannot guarantee that tickets will be available at the door. All advance ticket buyers should arrive 15 minutes prior to screening to guarantee seating. All available seats will be sold to standby line on a first come, first serve basis.


Gone: The Forgotten Women of Ohio

A new limited television series from acclaimed documentary filmmaker and Woodstock Film Festival advisory board member, Joe Berlinger, premiered on July 22 on Spike. Watch the premiere before the show's newest episode this Saturday at 9pm on Spike tv.

Gone: The Forgotten Women of Ohio is an 8-part documentary series about the mysterious deaths and disappearances of women in the small rust-belt town of Chillicothe, Ohio. John Berlinger, forensic analyst, Angela Clemente, and former FBI special agent, Steve Bongardt investigate these strange happenings and unfold truths far more horrific than they could have imagined.


Congratulations to Jon Greenhalgh, Woodstock Film Festival alum and Hudson Valley local, who was just nominated for an Emmy for his documentary, TEAM FOXCATCHER. The Woodstock Film Festival screened TEAM FOXCATCHER in April 2016 accompanied by a Q&A session with Jon Greenhalgh. Jon Greenhalgh has on-screen credit for writing, directing, producing and editing. After growing up on Long Island and living in New York City for a number of years, in 2012 he decided to move to the Hudson Valley. TEAM FOXCATCHER is available for streaming on Netflix.


Congratulations to Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker and Woodstock Film Festival advisory board member, Barbara Kopple, whose film, MISS SHARON JONES, was just nominated for an Emmy. Barbara Kopple and her films have been mainstays at the Woodstock Film Festival. Her film credits include SHUT UP & SING and HARLAN COUNTY U.S.A. In 2016 she presented the Lifetime Achievement award to fellow documentary filmmaker, Leon Gast.



JOIN US IN 2017

Join us for the 18th Annual Woodstock Film Festival on October 11-15, 2017 in Woodstock, Saugerties, Rhinebeck, Rosendale, and Kingston.

Maverick Awards tickets and full fest passes are on sale now!

Click here to purchase MAVERICK AWARDS TICKETS

Click here to purchase FULL FEST PASSES


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Woodstock Film Festival is always looking for volunteers to help during the festival. For more information please visit our jobs page. CLICK HERE TO APPLY


ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

We offer local businesses in host towns discounted advertising opportunities in our printed program and our newsletters. For more information, prices, and samples please visit our AdBuy page. 

Stay tuned in August and September for important announcements about this year's festival line-up.


Seann William Scott and Courteney Cox at the 2014 Woodstock Film Festival

Seann William Scott and Courteney Cox at the 2014 Woodstock Film Festival

The Woodstock Film Festival's sister organization, The Hudson Valley Film Commission, has brought an influx of film production to the Mid-Hudson Valley with more on the way. Two feature films, UNINTENDED and GREEN DOLPHIN, recently wrapped production in the region. UNINTENDED producer Sabine Schenk produced two films that screened at the Woodstock Film Festival, including the Academy Award nominated short doc FERRY TALES (2003) and POETRY OF RESILIENCE (2011). Other Woodstock Film Festival alumni staff members include Lisa Purcell, Natalie, Chau, Morgan Shea, Greg Meola, Tim Bruno and many others.

Keanu Reeves at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival

Keanu Reeves at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival

GREEN DOLPHIN co- producer Jon Keeyes now holds the record for most productions in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region with seven, including MY FIRST MIRACLE, JACK GOES HOME, KING COBRA, WELCOME THE STRANGER, TEN, SHOTGUN, and GREEN DOLPHIN. GREEN DOLPHIN actor Seann William Scott joined Courteney Cox at the 2014 Woodstock Film Festival, and executive producer Keanu Reeves was honored at the 2010 event, which he attended with Vera Farmiga for the screening of HENRY’S CRIME. Other Woodstock Film Festival alumni staff members include our box office manager, Michael Windsor, who worked on GREEN DOLPHIN.

Video clip with GREEN DOLPHIN director, Chris Kenneally, filmed at Broadway Diner in Kingston. GREEN DOLPHIN is executive produced by Keanu Reeves and starts Seann William Scott and Justine Skye.


JOIN US IN 2017

The Woodstock Film Festival showcases some of the best contemporary filmmaking from around the world, featuring passionate, creative, captivating and affirming work by some of today's most promising and accomplished independent filmmakers. Events generate large, enthusiastic audiences, news headlines, social media exposure and a gamut of other promotional opportunities.

Woodstock Film Festival Sponsorships come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We will work with you to custom fit a partnership that benefits your business marketing goals! If you are interested in learning more, give us a call at 845.679.4265 or email sponsor@woodstockfilmfestival.com

Or, please consider a tax deductible contribution to help us continue our mission to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film, music, and art-related activities that promotes artists, culture, inspired learning, and diversity. Individual contributions or foundation grants will support our ongoing efforts.