DIGGERS Drive-In Screening Draws Packed House

Guests gather for the screening. Photo by Justin Chacchia.

On July 16th the Woodstock Film Festival hosted a special summer screening of the 2006 period dramedy DIGGERS at Greenville Drive-In Outdoor Cinema in Greenville, New York. This was the Festival’s first in-person gathering since our preview screening of Guiseppe Capotondi’s 2020 thriller THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY back in February and our staff was excited to put together a live event once again!

Patrons line up for themed cocktails. Photo by Justin Chacchia.

Themed dinner, snacks, drinks, and desserts were provided by Greenville Drive-In Outdoor Cinema, Nancy's Artisanal Creamery and Pippy's Food Truck. Guests were treated to savory lobster rolls, gourmet ice-cream, specialty cocktails, and snacked on freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that were delivered to their vehicles mid film.

Pre-screening Q&A with DIGGERS director Katherine Dieckmann (left) hosted by WFF Executive Director Meira Blaustein (right). Photo by Justin Chacchia.

Preceding the movie was a lively Q&A session with DIGGERS director Katherine Dieckmann hosted by Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein. The conversation was filmed on site and projected live onscreen. Dieckmann recalled what it was like working with the film’s stellar ensemble cast that included both Paul Rudd and Sarah Paulson while speaking about her current experience as a film professor at Columbia University during the pandemic, with all its challenges and rewards. Substituting car horn honks for applause, audience members were able to tune in to the Q&A and screening on their car radios.

“I was so honored to show my film ‘Diggers’ to benefit the Woodstock Film Festival, always a pioneer, and never more so than in figuring out a safe, socially-distant way to pull off a super-fun summer movie event.” said director Katherine Dieckmann.

“It was wonderful to see so many people gather safely together at the beautiful Greenville Drive-In to support independent filmmaking and each other.” said WFF Executive Director Meira Blaustein. “I look forward to doing more events like this throughout the summer, and at this year’s film festival.”

“We had a wonderful time last night!” said attendee Jen Dragon. “It was the first time we had seen so many old friends and we felt very safe with all of the boundaries [the Festival] thoughtfully put in place.”

Special thanks to everyone who helped make our first drive-in screening a success! See you soon at the movies!