WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS

Spirit of woodstock

For additional information contact: Meira@woodstockfilmfestival.com

Spirit of Woodstock Award, created by Steven Heller of Fabulous Furniture

Spirit of Woodstock Award, created by Steven Heller of Fabulous Furniture

Woodstock, NY (Updated May 31, 2016) - The Woodstock Film Festival will host the 4th SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK CELEBRATION on Saturday, June 4th from 5-8pm. As in past years, the Spirit of Woodstock will celebrate honorees who embody the fiercely independent spirit that has made Woodstock famous for over 100 years. This year's honorees, Ron Nyswaner and Philippe Petit, are recognized internationally for their individualism and their artistry. Presenters include actor/director Michael Cristofer (Nyswaner) and actor/director Tim Guinee (Petit).

The event will be held at a scenic estate overlooking the Ashokan Reservoir, where attendees can stroll the spectacular grounds and enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while mingling with and hearing from the honorees. Proceeds will go towards the Woodstock Film Festival, which celebrates its 17th year this fall, October 13-16. The funds raised will help bring the high quality films, filmmakers, talent and other events that draw audiences from around the country and the world to the towns of Woodstock, Saugerties, Kingston, Rosendale, and Rhinebeck.  

"It is such a privilege to honor these two extraordinary individuals who have had long ties with the Woodstock community,” said Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein. "Ron Nyswaner is one of the most prolific, bold and sought after screenwriters and filmmakers around, and Philippe Petit is not only a world renowned tight rope walker, but an extraordinary artist who is an inspiration to all who dare to dream of the seemingly impossible.”

For details and information, visit SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK

Ron Nyswaner

Ron Nyswaner

 
Philippe Petit

Philippe Petit

Ron Nyswaner is a screenwriter, author, director, producer, and activist who makes his home in Ulster County and Los Angeles. His screenplays include PHILADELPHIA, THE PAINTED VEIL, and SOLDIER'S GIRL. He is also the Writer/Co-Executive Producer of RAY DONOVAN (Seasons 1 & 2) and HOMELAND (Season 5 & 6). In addition to other honors, his documentary SHE’S THE BEST THING IN IT won the audience award at the 2015 Woodstock Film Festival. This year he issued a revised edition of BLUE DAYS, BLACK NIGHTS: A Memoir of Desire, chronicling a doomed love affair and his battle with addiction.

Philippe Petit has performed on the high wire more than 80 times around the world, but he makes his home in Ulster County and New York City. In 1974, Petit mesmerized the world with an illegal high wire walk between the World Trade Center Towers, a quarter of mile above the sidewalks of New York City. His 'coup’ has been the subject of many books and movies, including the autobiographical TO REACH THE CLOUDS, the Academy Award-winning documentary MAN ON WIRE, and the Robert Zemeckis feature film THE WALK. He is also a magician, street juggler, lecturer, barn builder, and the author of ten books, the most recent being CREATIVITY: The Perfect Crime.

The Spirit of Woodstock celebrates the roots of the Hudson Valley-- its natural beauty, art, culture, innovation, the independent spirit of the people who live there, and the river that flows through and connects it all together. Past honorees include Michael Lang (one of the founders of the 1969 Woodstock Festival), Congressman Maurice Hinchey, local entrepreneur Mark Braunstein, and the Band’s Levon Helm. The Spirit of Woodstock Award is hand-crafted by local artisan Steve Heller of Fabulous Furniture.

In order to reserve your ticket, please visit our website


Upcoming:
June 4- Spirit of Woodstock 
June 11 - LIFE, ANIMATED with Oscar winning director Roger Ross Williams

Hailed as "A true American Maverick Among Fests" and named among the top 50 film festivals world wide, the Woodstock Film Festival premieres exceptional films, hosts the most talented emerging and established professionals in the movie industry; presents A-list concerts, panels and parties, and creates stimulating, innovative programming year-round.

The Woodstock Film Festival is a non-profit, 501c3 with a mission to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film, music and art-related activities that promote artists, culture, inspired learning and diversity.

The Woodstock Film Festival returns October 13-16, 2016 for its 17th edition with an extraordinary line-up of fiercely independent films, panels, concerts and special events in Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Kingston, Rosendale and Saugerties.