Woodstock Film Festival

Since 2000, the Woodstock Film Festival has established itself as one of the foremost independent film events in the country by premiering exceptional films; hosting the most talented emerging and established professionals in the movie industry; presenting A-list concerts, parties and panels, and creating stimulating, innovative programming year-round.

The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with a 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. WFF’s sister organization, The Hudson Valley Film Commission, promotes sustainable economic development by attracting and supporting film, video and media production throughout the region.

History

With offices located in Woodstock, NY, the festival was spun out as a stand-alone festival in 2000. ["Coming soon: another film festival", "Shawnee News Star", 20 Sep 2000. Source refers to it as the " [t] he inaugural Woodstock Film Festival..."] The 1999 version of the festival was held in a converted B-52 hanger, and "Clerks", "Easy Rider", "Pulp Fiction", and of course the original "Woodstock" film documentary. [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5925622/random_notes_on_hole_erykah_badu_and_farm_aid "Random Notes on Hole, Erykah Badu and Farm Aid"] , from "Rolling Stone" magazine, 13 July 1999.] The inaugural stand-alone festival ran from September 21-24, 2000. It included workshops, documentaries, concerts and films from all over the world. Speakers at the festival's workshops included author Warren Adler, Aidan Quinn, and Ron Nyswaner, who wrote the screenplay for "Philadelphia". James Earl Jones emceed the Maverick Awards, given out for various categories of film excellence. ["Music to Watch", from "The Bergen County Record", 3 August 2000.]

The second annual event was held despite falling only nine days after the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001, despite some initial concerns. The festival's co-founder, Meira Blaustein said of the decision not to postpone the festival, "This is such an incredible event, so many dreams are realized here -- it must continue," and noted that the event was dedicated to "the men, women and children who lost their lives in the September 11 tragedies." [ [http://www.indiewire.com/onthescene/fes_01Woodstok_011003_wrap.html "Woodstock Decides The Show Must Go On"] , by Jacque Lynn Schiller, for "Indiewire.com", 3 October 2001.]

Notable attendees

The festival has featured many high-powered members of the film community. These have included industry executives, network and cable executives, record label executives, writers, entertainment lawyers, producers, and critics. Some notable attendees have included Kevin Bacon, Steve Buscemi, Matt Dillon, Olympia Dukakis, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Daniel Day-Lewis, Laura Linney, Parker Posey, Aidan Quinn, and Tim Robbins. [ [http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/about%20us.htm#whatwedo Woodstock Film Festival Website] .]

Awards presented

The festival's "Maverick Awards" are given for:
*Best Feature Narrative-The Lee Marvin Award
*Best Feature Documentary
*Best Short Documentary-The Diane Seligman Award
*Best Short Film-The Diane Seligman Award
*Best Student Film-The Diane Seligman Award
*Best Cinematography–The Haskell Wexler Award
*Best Editing–The James Lyons Award
*Best Animation
*Audience Award for Best Feature Narrative
*Audience Award for Best Feature Documentary
*Honorary Maverick Award winner
*Honorary Trailbalzer Award winner

References