Woodstock Film Festival Welcomes Four New Members to Board of Directors
The Woodstock Film Festival is thrilled to announce the addition of four new members to its board of directors. Their talents and expertise will serve as guiding lights as our organization, now in its 22nd year, continues to evolve.
Joining are veteran entertainment attorney and producer Jonathan Gray of Gray Schwartz LLP, executive producer and human rights activist Sarah Johnson, Vicki Chesler of Highpoint Ventures and producer Declan Baldwin of Big Indie Pictures. All of them leaders in their respective fields, Jonathan, Sarah, Vicki and Declan’s combined wisdom and experience will be immense assets to our engaged and dedicated board, which includes current members Lauri Andretta, Joan Quigley, Dave Baldwin, Claude Dal Farra, Ilene Marder Hinchey and Jeff Morris. Welcome to all!
“I am honored and delighted to have been named to the Board of Directors of the Woodstock Film Festival. Having been immersed in the world of independent film — as an attorney and producer — for nearly 30 years, I can say without hesitation that WFF embodies the spirit of ‘fiercely independent’ more than any film festival I have attended.”
“As a new board member I look forward to being involved with this iconic Film Festival and all of the new energy surrounding it. The Hudson Valley is experiencing an arts revival and the Woodstock Film Festival is at the very center of all of this. It is really exciting!”
“As a decades-long local resident and a devoted fan of the Woodstock Film Festival since its inception, I am honored to be a part of this talented and accomplished Board of Directors. I look forward to helping the Festival continue to grow in stature and breadth as a driving force in bringing new outstanding film and filmmakers into the public eye, as well as bringing the public into our marvelous community of creative innovators in the Woodstock area.”
“I first came to the WFF with a film in 2008. The film didn’t fare very well, but my experience as an audience member of so many wonderful, interesting, and truly independent films was amazing. I started coming every year I could after that, including the 2020 WFF Drive-In screenings, which were yet another great WFF experience. After a number of years, I purchased a home in Woodstock and began getting my ‘local’ on. And now I’m a member of the Board of Directors. I hope to add something worthwhile to the mix and continue to carry the message that the WFF, now approaching its 22 year, is one of the very best film festivals on the East Coast.”
“When we began discussing expanding our Board last Fall, I was hoping to choose people who had a passion for the film industry and would re-energize the current Board members. With this new group adding a new and fresh perspective to the Board, I’m looking forward to leading us into our 22nd year. I’ve also been very impressed with how the film festival has adapted to the changes over the past year, and I’m excited for everyone to have access to the new educational opportunities and initiatives.”
““I’ve always been very proud to be part of WFF, and now that we are becoming what we long dreamed of being, it is more exciting, and important, than ever” stated founding Woodstock Film Festival board member Ilene Marder Hinchey. “Mucho thanks to this wonderful, productive Board for the enormous boost.””
Academy Award-winning MY OCTOPUS TEACHER filmmakers Pippa Ehrlich (upper left) and James Reed (center) speak with Academy Award nominee Rachel Grady
WFF Executive Director Meira Blaustein (left), with filmmakers Lydia Dean Pilcher (center) and Mira Nair (right) at the 2020 Woodstock Film Festival
Emerging from last year’s challenges stronger than ever with expanded leadership, the Woodstock Film Festival is poised for an exciting future. In 2020 we made the impossible possible by offering robust virtual year-round programming on a weekly basis along with a busy summer drive-in season, culminating with a successful fall film festival held in a hybrid drive-in and online format. For our 22nd anniversary, we plan to build on this model with the goal of producing a cinematic experience that is safe, accessible and inspiring for all. With our building’s mortgage fully paid off thanks to a very generous donation, our educational initiatives expanding with the inaugural Filmmakers Residency / Incubator launching next month with other programs soon to be announced, our Virtual Masterclass Series picking up steam and our rapidly growing year-round schedule of live and virtual events, the Woodstock Film Festival remains committed to presenting cutting-edge programming that educates and inspires you.
We invite you to get involved as we continue to develop new initiatives and prepare for the 22nd annual film festival, set for September 29 - October 3rd, 2021. To support our ongoing endeavors and join our wonderfully eclectic family of creatives, volunteers, friends and sponsors please contact info@woodstockfilmfestival.org or make a contribution here.
Stay subscribed to our mailing list and follow us on social media for updates on our upcoming in-person and online events. We have a lot of exciting plans for the months ahead and would love to keep you in the loop!
ABOUT THE WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL:
The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that nurtures and supports emerging and established filmmakers, sharing their creative voices through an annual festival and year-round programming to promote culture, diversity, community, educational opportunities and economic growth.
WFF provides innovative mentoring and inspired educational programs benefitting filmmakers, students and diverse audiences, while serving as a powerful cultural and economic engine for New York’s Hudson Valley and beyond. Such efforts have consistently resulted in the festival being hailed as one of the top regional film festivals worldwide.