WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER PART III

 
 
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We are thrilled to announce our opening night film for this year's festival. THE MAD WHALE will have its world premiere at the WOODSTOCK Playhouse on Thursday, October 12, 6:00 PM. This collaborative project offers a unique approach, featuring the work of eight directors and eight screenwriters and demonstrating that artists are strongest when working together.

The film was produced through Elysium Bandini Studios. Elysium Bandini Studios (EBS) is a film studio and video streaming platform featuring films, documentaries and interviews produced and distributed by EBS to raise funds and awareness in support of young artists and filmmakers as well as The Art of Elysium’s charitable programs. Launched by The Art of Elysium’s Founder, Jennifer Howell, alongside James Franco and Vince Jolivette, and with current partners Tom Franco and Rain Phoenix, EBS offers curated content that combines emerging filmmakers with all-star talent to promote the arts and freedom of expression while benefiting the community. 

In THE MAD WHALE, inmates at a women's mental asylum are tasked with staging a theatrical production of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick' as a bold new form of therapy.

Q&A attendees *subject to change:  producer Jennifer Howell and star Summer Phoenix

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Come by the box office at 13 Rock City Road in Woodstock. Tickets and souvenirs are selling fast - don't wait to the last minute. NEW HOURS - we are now open every day.

Click Here to order online

Box Office Hours

October 9-14
9am-7pm
Open everyday

October 15
9am-6pm

Our FIERCELY INDEPENDENT festival has proven to be a home for filmmakers throughout its 18 years. It is this tradition of having returning filmmakers every year that makes the festival so special. Some filmmakers begin with a short and come back years later with a feature. It is this growth that makes the festival so proud. Here are some of the talented attendees that have come back this year for another amazing festival.

Bob Byington with INFINITY BABY

Griffin Dunne with JOAN DIDION: THE CENTER WILL NOT HOLD

Ari Gold with THE SONG OF SWAY LAKE

Barbara Kopple with THIS IS EVERYTHING: GIGI GORGEOUS

Bill Plympton with REVENGEANCE

Sam Pollard with SAMMY DAVIS JR.: I'VE GOTTA BE ME

Todd Wider & Jedd Wider with TO THE EDGE OF THE SKY

The Woodstock Film Festival showcases the most highly respected talent in the film industry. Each year new filmmakers are welcomed. We are so honored to have these filmmakers in attendance. Here are a few of this year's notable first-time Woodstock Film Festival participants.

Lee Aronsohn with 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING: THE MAGIC MUSIC MOVIE

Emilie Bunnell with BEAN

Harris Doran with BEAUTY MARK

Lisa France with ROLL WITH ME

Tamlin Hall with HOLDEN ON

Karl Jacob with COLD NOVEMBER

Jessica M. Thompson with THE LIGHT OF THE MOON

The Woodstock Film Festival staff spotlights four films that have caught our attention that we are excited to be showing. 

girl in flight

Directed by Sandra Vannucchi

"After being disappointed by her parents 11- year old Silvia runs to Rome to have an adventure of her own. She makes friends with a group of Roma children and experiences first hand the racism and hatred they face as an ethnic group. This film shows how child like faith and friendship is more powerful than anything else."

- Sierra (Press Team)

 

A Symphony of Hope

Directed by Brian Weidling

"A Symphony of Hope is an inspiring true story of how music brings people together to bring hope and help to the Haitian people after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Your belief in humanity will be renewed and your love of the arts refueled."

- Natalie (Volunteer Coordinator)

the Chocolate Case

Directed by Benthe Forrer

"The cocoa industry and child slavery have more in common then you might think. Dutch journalists expose the injustice happening in the chocolate industry using humor and wit to fund a 100% slave free chocolate bar."

- Amanda (Press Team)

 

Submission

Directed by Richard Levine

"Witnessing the internal war of Stanley Tucci's character as he fights desire versus his moral compass had me entirely invested in every twist and turn. You can't help but analyze both characters as Addison Timlin makes you question what people will do to get ahead."

- Kendal (Press Team)

If the weather is nice and you're looking to do something a bit more active, there are hundreds of trails in the Hudson Valley and some in our own backyard of the Catskill mountains. Here are a select few that are always a hit. Be sure to read the safety signs and follow instructions and stay on the path. 

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    • Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
      • Challenging Hike – 8.2 Miles, Difficult
        • Reaching an elevation of 4,040 feet, the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower is one of the Catskills’ most challenging treks, and the most difficult of the Catskill Park’s five fire tower hikes. On a day hike, take in the spectacular and well-deserved view from the top of the tower – on a clear day, you can see Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont – before making the descent back down to your car.
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    • Kaaterskill Fall
      • Towering at 260 feet Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in New York State. One of the most popular waterfalls in the Catskills, Kaaterskill Falls is a regional natural wonder that has captivated everyone from the daytripper to renowned painters and photographers who have depicted the falls in countless pieces of Catskill art. Hike one mile to the base of the two-tiered waterfall and revel in its incredible beauty. 

    We are currently seeking matching funds for a facilities grant that we hope to receive from NYSCA on January 1, 2018. Your support will help us achieve our goal. We raised $26,100 with a goal of $40,000. The Film Center is the hub of operations for the Woodstock Film Festival as well as the Hudson Valley Film Commission. The facility's improvements would be an asset to the overall operations of the festival and the film commission. We thank you in advance for your donations.

    Your Capital Campaign Contribution will help us hire local contractors to: 
    - Gut and renovate 2 office spaces & bathroom ($20k) 
    - Electric upgrades ($5k)
    - 5 new windows ($3k) 
       *includes removal of old windows and new installation
    - Prep for and install spray foam insulation ($12k) 
       *includes demo and new walls after foam insualtion

    For more information and to make a charitable donation, please visit our Capital Campaign page.

    Our installation is organized and curated by Carol Silverman and Dario Laverne. Carol is an Emmy award-winning set decorator, VR artist, and Hudson Valley local. Dario is a virtual reality expert at HTC VIVE for your support.

    Each experience ranges from 3-8 minutes. Each ticket holder will get to try 1 to 4 experiences on a first come, first served basis, during the one-hour block of time that they have reserved.

    Purchase tickets here

    CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PRE-FESTIVAL PROGRAM

    Get the best of the fest with a Full Festival Pass which includes priority seating for screenings and panels, access to parties and the hospitality suite, a ticket to the award ceremony, and more! Maverick Awards Tickets will take place on October 14 at Backstage Studio Productions in Kingston, New York. 

    The box office is now open. Tickets start at $10. For more information on ticket prices, schedules, venues, and more please visit Woodstock Film Festival Ticket Info.

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    We would like to also extend a thank you to advertisers who support our monthly newsletters including BankPurely, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Deborah Medenbach, Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty, The Lodge, Screenwriter Mark T. Gerlach, Sunflower Cafe, and Ulster Savings Bank.