2012 HONORARY MAVERICK AWARD RECIPIENT

Acclaimed director Jonathan Demme will receive the Honorary Maverick Award at the 13th Annual Woodstock Film Festival.

The veteran director, whose documentary I'm Carolyn Parker: The Good, The Mad and The Beautiful screened at last year's festival, is best known for his films Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, The Agronomist and Stop Making Sense.

This glimpse at his career, spanning four decades, clearly illuminates what makes Demme the Woodstock Film Festival 2012 choice for the Maverick Award. He courageously tackles challenging and controversial subjects; and in doing so, whether he is portraying Anthony Hopkins as the terrifying Hannibal Lecter or Tom Hanks as an early victim of AIDS, his characters emerge with unusual depth and humanity. What's more, his stories are not only thoughtful, they are as equally absorbing and entertaining. Read entire release here...

Received a handcrafted trophy designed by Steve Heller

2012 MEERA GANDHI GIVING BACK AWARD RECIPIENT

The Woodstock Film Festival is proud to announce the recipient of the 2nd Annual Meera Gandhi Giving Back Award as Tim Blake Nelson.

Known for his diverse roles in film, Nelson has starred in acclaimed hits like O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Incredible Hulk, Syriana, Holes and the 2011 closing night film at the Woodstock Film Festival, Detachment. Nelson is also an accomplished director, singer and playwright. His directing credits include Leaves of Grass, The Grey Zone (a 2002 Woodstock Film Festival Official Selection) and O.

The Giving Back contribution Nelson receives will go to the 52nd Street Project in NYC. The project brings together kids ages (9 to 18) from the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood with theater professionals to create original works on stage. The primary activity is to present a free theater to a general audience with a deeper purpose of using the art form of theater to engage children's imaginations, broaden their means of expression and increase their sense of self-worth, their literacy skills and their appreciation of the arts.

Recipient will receive a a $5000 cash award to donate to charity of choice
and a handcrafted trophy designed by Steve Heller

TRIBUTE to Bingham Ray

A special Tribute to Bingham Ray was included in the ceremony.

Bingham Ray was a long-time advisory board member, distributor and producer, celebrated for his colorful ways. Named Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society in 2011, Ray was a major player in the independent film world. He was a co-founder of the independent film production company October Films in 1991 and was its president until 1999, when USA Networks bought it. October Films produced the highly acclaimed Secrets & Lies and The Apostle, starring Robert Duvall, among others.

In 2001, Ray became president of United Artists, overseeing the production of Bowling for Columbine and Hotel Rwanda. From United Artists, Ray went on to join Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Immediately prior to joining the San Francisco Film Society, Ray was a programming consultant to the Film Society of Lincoln Center and was an adjunct professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. His tenacity and passion will always be remembered.

The Woodstock Film Festival honors his dedication to fiercely independent filmmaking.

GIGANTIC PICTURES FEATURE NARRATIVE AWARD

Winner
California Solo, directed by Marshall Lewy

Honorable Mentions
First Winter, directed by Benjamin Dickinson
&
Exit Elena, directed by Nathan Silver

Winner received a $5000 cash prize from Gigantic Pictures
and a handcrafted trophy by Steve Heller.

JURY MEMBERS
Thelma Adams
Lori Singer
Gary Springer

 

MAVERICK DOCUMENTARY AWARD presented by Films we like

Winner
Shepard and Dark, directed by Treva Wurmfeld

Honorable Mention
Oma & Bella, directed by Alexa Karolinski

Sponsored by Films We Like. 
Winner received a $1000 cash award and a handcrafted trophy by Steve Heller.

JURY MEMBERS
Rachel Grady
Barbara Kopple
Jedd Wider

HASKELL WEXLER AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Winner
Nor'Easter, directed by Andrew Brotzman
director of photogprahy Ian Bloom 

Prize: $15,000 worth of film camera equipment
Sponsored by Panavision, NY, and a handcrafted trophy designed by Steve Heller

JURY MEMBER: Haskell Wexler, A.S.C.
The following comment was released by Mr. Wexler regarding the film: "I would like for the cinematography award to go to Ian Bloom for Nor'Easter. To direct the eye throughout the film, he employs creative focus in daring ways which, although excellent photography, is still subtle, not calling attention to itself. Camera movement is integrated with sly framing. A good example is the scene between David Call and Haviland Morris, where she puts his hand on her chest as the camera moves in. It tilts up to her right hand on her neck, her right hand holding his against her heart. The camera continues a slow, hesitant move to her wedding ring. I'm looking forward to more of Ian Bloom's shooting."

Editing Award for NARRATIVE FEATURE

Winner
California Solo, directed by Marshall Lewy
edited by Alex Jablonski

Honorable Mention
I Am Not a Hipster, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Prize: DCP services sponsored by  Technicolor PostWorks New York and a handcrafted trophy created by Steve Heller.

JURY MEMBERS
Sarah Flack
Sabine Hoffman
Bill Pankow

Editing Award for DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Diane Seligman Award for BEST SHORT NARRATIVE

Winner
Curfew, directed by Shawn Christensen

Honorable Mention
Julia, directed by Danielle Krudy

Winner received a $500 cash award sponsored by Lowel-Light and a handcrafted trophy by Steve Heller.

JURY MEMBERS
Brian Devine
Timothy Hutton
Matt Parker

Diane Seligman Award for BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

Winner
El Ultimo Hielero (The Last Ice Merchant), directed by Sandy Patch

Winner received a $500 cash award from Lowel-Light, DCP services sponsored by  Technicolor PostWorks New York, and a handcrafted trophy by Steve Heller.

JURY MEMBERS
Isil Bagdadi
Lisa Gossels
Steve Savage
Todd Wider

Diane Seligman Award for BEST STUDENT SHORT

Winner
Past Due, directed by Denise Plumb (AFI)

Winner received a $500 cash award from Lowel-Light and a handcrafted trophy by Steve Heller.

JURY MEMBERS
Amy Gossels
Jonathan Gray
Marie Therese Guirgis
 

Maverick Award for FOR BEST ANIMATION

Winner
Junkyard, by Hisko Hulsing

$2000 cash award and trophy
sponsored by Blue Sky Studios.

JURY MEMBERS
Signe Baumane
Bill Plympton
Chris Wedge

Audience Award for NARRATIVE FEATURE

Winner
Any Day Now, directed by Travis Fine

Audience Award for DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Winner
Once in a Lullaby - The PS 22 Chorus Story, directed by Jonathan Kalafer