2017 Woodstock Film Festival Maverick Awards

Group of people on stage at the Woodstock Film Festival, some seated and some standing, with a banner in the background reading '18th Annual Woodstock Film Festival'.

HONORARY TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Photo of Shep Gordon receiving the Trailblazer Award in 2017, featuring two images of him, one smiling and holding an award, the other speaking into a microphone, wearing a leather jacket.

The Trailblazer Award was presented by Michael Lang to Shep Gordon

Shep Gordon received the 2017 Trailblazer Award for his work in the independent film, music and culinary entertainment industries. Gordon founded one of the first independent film companies and film distributors Alive Pictures/Island Alive, and has represented musicians and celebrity chefs like Alice Cooper, Luther Vandross, Wolfgang Puck, Emril Lagasse, among many others. 

The Panel "A Chat with Shep Gordon" can be found here.

HONORARY EXCELLENCE IN ACTING AWARD

A poster honoring Bill Pullman for an Excellence in Acting Award at the 2017 Woodstock Film Festival, featuring two photos of Bill Pullman: one where he is holding a prop sword to his head, and another where he is speaking at a podium during the festival.

Excellence in Acting Award Recipient was presented by Jared Moshe to Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman received the 2017 Excellence in Acting Award. In addition to receiving the award, the Woodstock Film Festival will screen The Ballad Of Lefty Brown (courtesy of A24) in which Bill Pullman gives a tour de force performance as the title character. Bill Pullman's versatile acting spans from dramatic roles to comedic roles, including  A League Of Their Own, Independence  Day, Ruthless People, Sleepless In Seattle, and Spaceballs.

GIGANTIC PICTURES AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE NARRATIVE

INFINITY BABY
Directed by Bob Byington

Poster for the film 'Infinity Baby' featuring headshots of characters and the cast names including Kevin Corrigan, Noel Wells, Nick Offerman, Kieran Culkin, Megan Mullally, Martin Starr, Stephen Root, and Trieste Kelly Dunn.

Jury:

Katherine Dieckmann
Lori Singer
Tim Guinee

Honorable Mention:

DON’T COME BACK FROM THE MOON
Directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung

FILMS WE LIKE DOCUMENTARY AWARD

SHINGAL, WHERE ARE YOU?
Directed by Angelos Rallis

Group of five people standing together at the Woodstock Film Festival, posing for a photo in front of a backdrop with festival logos.

Jury:

Lee Hirsch
Wendy Ettinger
Roger Ross Williams

Honorable Mention:

MY NAME IS PEDRO
Directed by Lillian Lasalle

HASKELL WEXLER AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Sponsored by Panavision, NY

THE SOUNDING
Cinematography by David Kruta
Directed by Catherine Eaton

Two women smiling, one wearing a black shirt, the other with dark hair, close together at an event with a white background.

Director and star Catherine Eaton accepts on behalf of cinematographer David Kruta

The Haskell Wexler Cinematography Award continues under the guardianship of Wexler's friend and colleague Ellen Kuras, carrying on Wexler’s legacy for years to come. "One of the most inventive and unique voices in cinema of our time, Haskell was a rebel and advocate of progressive causes who lived his politics through his work, and his work through his spirited beliefs," wrote juror Ellen Kuras, "We continue to honor Haskell and his work by recognizing filmmakers who reflect his passion."

"I judge Cinematography not just for a story well told, but for what the story is. " - Haskell Wexler. Rest in Peace.

Jury:

Ellen Kuras

ULTRA INDIE AWARD

BEAUTY MARK
Directed by Harris Doran

Group of five people smiling and posing at Woodstock Film Festival event, with some holding an award, backdrop featuring festival logos, and sponsorship banners.

BEAUTY MARK director Harris Doran with jurors Alex Smith and Richard Abramowitz

The Ultra Indie Award is presented to an outstanding film with a budget of less than $200K. The films nominated raise the art of low-budget filmmaking to a higher level and we are proud to partner with Gray, Krauss, Stratford, Sandler, Des Rochers LLP and Blackmagic Design to reward the best of these ultra-low-budget selections from the 17th Annual Woodstock Film Festival.

Jury:

Philippe Petit
Alex Smith
Richard Abramowitz

WORLD CINEMA AWARD

GIRL IN FRIGHT
Directed by Sandra Vannucchi

Group of five people at an awards ceremony holding a trophy, smiling, in front of a backdrop with logos for film festivals and sponsors.

The jury would also like to give a special mention to the young actress Lisa Ruth Andreozzi for her breakthrough performance.

Jury:

Claude Dal Farra
Maria Govin
Emily Russo

CARPE DIEM ANDRETTA AWARD

ROLL WITH ME
Directed by Lisa France with subject Gabriel Cordell

Three people posing in front of a backdrop with logos from the Woodstock Film Festival and other sponsors, two standing and one sitting.

The jurors with Michael King and Sandra Vannucchi, GIRL IN FLIGHT winner of the World Cinema Award at the 2017 Woodstock Film Festival Maverick Awards

The Carpe Diem Andretta Award honors longtime area resident Vincent “Jay” Andretta III, who passed away in December 2014. The Glenford resident will be remembered as a successful businessman, a driven, avid athlete and a loving, dedicated husband, father, son and great friend to many including the Woodstock Film Festival. Jay’s favorite quote was Carpe Diem (Seize the Day). His life was a testament to the phrase. The Carpe Diem Andretta Award will be presented to a film that best exemplifies living life to the fullest through character and story development in a full length narrative or documentary film.

Presented by Lauri and Jimmy Andretta.

JAMES LYONS EDITING AWARD - FEATURE NARRATIVE

DON’T COME BACK FROM THE MOON
Edited by Joe Murphy
Directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung

Group of five people smiling at the Woodstock Film Festival with a backdrop featuring the festival's logo and other sponsor logos.

Jury:

Katharine McQuerrey
Oriana Soddu
Sabine Hoffman

JAMES LYONS EDITING AWARD - FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

32 PILLS: MY SISTER’S SUICIDE
Edited by Toby Shimin
Directed by Hope Litoff

Four women smiling and standing close together at a film festival, one holding a trophy, with a backdrop featuring logos including Markertrek and other sponsors.

Jury:

Fiona Otway
Melody London
Sabine Hoffman

BEST SHORT NARRATIVE

Sponsored by Gigantic Pictures

(LE) REBOUND
Directed by Laura Beckner

A woman with brown hair lying on a bed with white sheets, with an arm reaching towards her.

Jury:

Janet Grillo
Jonathan Burkhar

Honorable Mention:

THE FOSTER PORTFOLIO
Directed by Danielle Katvan

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

Sponsored by Markertek.com

MOTT HAVEN
Directed by Kyle Morrison

Man with beard and short hair holding a trophy at Woodstock Film Festival event, wearing a gray button-up shirt, black watch, standing in front of a backdrop with various sponsor logos.

Jury:

Jon Greenhalgh
Emily Rothschild
Cynthia Kane

Honorable Mention:

THE TABLES
Directed by Jon Bunning

BEST ANIMATED SHORT

PITTARI
by Patrick Smith

A smiling man signing a large board covered with signatures during an event.

Jury:

Joy Buran
Noelle Melody
Peter Ahern

BEST STUDENT SHORT

Sponsored by Gigantic Pictures

MY NEPHEW EMMETT
Directed by Kevin Wilson, Jr.

A man with a beard and gray button-up shirt holding a trophy that reads '2017 Woodstock Film Festival Best Student Short,' standing in front of a backdrop with various logos.

Jury:

Lee Hirsch
Wendy Ettinger
Roger Ross Williams

Honorable Mention:

TV IN THE FISHTAIL
Directed by Iesh Thapar

AUDIENCE AWARD - FEATURE NARRATIVE

STUCK
Directed by Michael Berry

Two men standing in front of a backdrop filled with various logos and text. The man on the left has red hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt with black stripes on the collar. The man on the right has brown hair, slight facial stubble, and is wearing a red and gray checkered shirt.

AUDIENCE AWARD - FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

THE ORGANIZER
Directed by Nick Taylor

Three men standing together at the Hudson Valley Film Festival, smiling, with a backdrop featuring festival logos. The man in the middle has white hair, is wearing a gray jacket over a white shirt, and has his arms crossed. The man on the left has a beard, is dressed in a green jacket and white shirt, and wears a lanyard with a film festival badge. The man on the right has dark hair, is wearing a black shirt, and also has a lanyard with a badge.