The 25th Annual Woodstock Film Festival Recap

Written By Woodstock Film Fest Press
amanda seyfried

Amanda Seyfried and Paul Schrader

The 2024 Woodstock Film Festival proudly highlighted the thriving spirit of independent cinema, bringing together a diverse selection of films, dynamic discussions, and empowering panels. This year's festival boasted an expansive lineup, featuring powerful documentaries, compelling narratives, and both live-action and animated shorts eligible for Academy Award consideration, all designed to captivate and challenge audiences through unique storytelling perspectives.

Enjoy this recap and don’t forget to join us for next year’s exciting festival in 2025!


“As WFF reaches its current milestone, it remains a vivid example of how a small, passionate idea can grow into something indisputably extraordinary. The festival’s lasting success is a testament to the power of art to bring people together, to inspire and to heal. As the Woodstock Film Festival continues to evolve and expand, it looks to remain a beacon of creativity and community.” – Isabella Joslin of “The Mountains”

Powerful Films That Define Our Times 

The 25th WFF showcased a compelling array of films that powerfully reflect and define our times, capturing the complexities of contemporary issues and resonating deeply with audiences through bold storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

THE BIBI FILES by Alexis Bloom had its U.S. Premiere (Work in Progress) this year and “has secured distribution in multiple territories, flying in the face of the controversial Israeli prime minister’s attempts to block the film.” Other films exploring difficult and relevant subject matters that are not to be missed include:  NO OTHER LAND, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE, BLACK BOX DIARIES, BORDERLAND | THE LINE WITHIN, and PORCELAIN WAR. 


Some of the films that sold out at our larger venues with lots of buzz include COASTAL, ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT, OH, CANADA, VIVA VERDI!, BLITZ, WISDOM OF HAPPINESS, BROOKLYN, MINNESOTA, NIGHTBITCH, A REAL PAIN, ANORA, BLITZ, and SECRET MALL APARTMENT. Other popular films were THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF IBELIN, LOS FRIKIS (Winner Best Editing Narrative), EMILIA PEREZ and PAUL ANKA: HIS WAY.

Special Events

It's All Gonna Break

Q&A with cast and crew for IT'S ALL GONNA BREAK. 2024 Woodstock Film Festival. Photo by David Lowy

Like in years past, the festival held several special events.  The WFF community was invited to unite through a shared love of film and music. Inspired by Woodstock’s musical tradition, the festival held a screening of IT’S ALL GONNA BREAK, followed by a Q&A and acoustic performance with Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning and Andrew Whiteman. Audience members left this evening inspired and deeply connected to both the music and the message of the film.

Another event celebrated the World Premiere of the feature documentary The JUNGLE, an eye-opening exploration of the role indigenous knowledge can play in positively impacting America’s meat industry. Following the screening at White Feather Farm a conversation was held featuring  Director Matt Wechsler, Executive Producer/Subject Mark Bittman, and regenerative agriculture leader Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin. The discussion delved into the film’s theme of creating an equitable food system for both people and the planet, leaving the audience with a deeper understanding of such an important issue.

Highlights from the Maverick Awards Ceremony

For the second year, the Maverick Awards Ceremony took place at SPAF in Saugerties, NY. With opening remarks from WFF Co-Founder & Executive Director Meira Blaustein, the evening featured a brilliant array of filmmakers and distinguished industry figures, both presenting and receiving awards. WFF honored its Maverick Award winners, celebrating visionary filmmakers and industry trailblazers who push the boundaries of independent cinema, with recipients lauded for their originality, impactful storytelling, and dedication to artistic excellence.

A big thank you to this year's jurors, including: Oren Moverman (Producer/Writer, The Messenger, I’m Not There, Bad Education), Roger Ross Williams (Director, Music By Prudence, Stamped from the Beginning, Cassandro), Debra Granik (Director/Writer, Winter’s Bone, Leave No Trace, Down to the Bone), Angela Patton (Director, Daughters), Julie Goldman (Producer, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, Life, Animated, In the Same Breath) Ivy Meeropol (Director, After the Bite, Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn), Ryan Werner (Head of Cinetic Marketing), Scott Macaulay (Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Filmmaker Magazine), Patrick Smith (Director/Animator, Beyond Noh, Gun Shop, Onward Ye Costumed Souls), Sabine Hoffman (Editor, Pachinko, Passing, The Glorias, Maggie’s Plan), Gabriel Rhodes (Editor, Gaucho Gaucho, Time, The First Wave, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.), John David Allen (Editor, The Golden Bowl, Le Divorce, The White Countess, City of your Final Destination), Barry Alexander Brown (Editor, Do The Right Thing, BlacKkKlansman, Malcolm X), Sean Price Williams (Director/Cinematographer, The Sweet East, Good Time, Between The Temples), and more.

Eunice Lau, Kim Jackson (NYWIFT), & Jessica Blank , Winners of NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Directing a Narrative Film. Photo by Laura Revercomb

Pamela Yates, Amy Goodman and Paco De Onis, Art of Activism Award. Photo by Laura Revercomb

Some of the films that took the top awards this year include:

The Gigantic Pictures Award for Best Feature Narrative: MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE, directed by Kyle Hausmann Stokes 

Jury Statement:  “For a standout central performance that delves into the darkness of the human psyche in the aftermath of its most extreme brutality, and for shining a light on the tragic consequences of war on those who are sent in our name to fight.”

Richard Rowley, the juror for the Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography, the second award presented to MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE, recognized the work as one that “unearths the buried guilt and trauma of a war that we as a country have still failed to come to terms with. With light, composition, and careful lensing, the camera balances the film’s delicate mix of levity and weight, grace and cruelty, the documentary and the hallucinatory.” – Matthew Carey of Deadline

The Leon Gast Award for Best Feature Documentary: PORCELAIN WAR, directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev

Jury Statement: “This year’s winner captivated us with its intimate portrayal of resilience and artistry in the face of conflict. The film we chose stood out for its visually stunning cinematography and deeply emotional storytelling, blending the worlds of art and war in a way that feels fresh and impactful.  The breathtaking cinematography and stirring, magical score only add to the film’s emotional depth, making it more than just a documentary about conflict but a tribute to the courage and hope of those living through it. For its powerful storytelling and unique ability to humanize such a complex reality.” 

The World of HA Change-Maker Award: SABBATH QUEEN, directed by Sandi Dubowski

Jury Statement:  “21 years in the making, Sabbath Queen follows a radical and individualistic spiritual leader in his quest to challenge the norms, follow his dreams, and inspire a large artistically driven community that, together, strives for tolerance, respect for human life, and peace for all.”

Winner of the Gray Schwartz Ultra Indie Award and the NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Directing a Narrative Film

BROOKLYN, MINNESOTA, directed by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen

Jury Statement:  “The directing duo Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen captured a modern coming-of-age story that is both entertaining and engaging. Reflecting diverse family issues, the film explores how generational trauma can be healed when one has the support and courage to stand up for what they believe.”

This year’s Honorary Maverick Award was awarded to acclaimed writer and director Paul Schrader by Amanda Seyfried. Known for his provocative contributions to both mainstream and independent film, Schrader’s collaborations with Martin Scorsese—including Taxi Driver (Winner — Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival), Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ and Bringing Out the Dead—are considered some of the most impactful works of screenwriting of the twentieth century. Schrader’s many writer-director credits include American Gigolo, Light Sleeper and First Reformed for which he was nominated for an Academy Award

The Honorary Trailblazer Award was presented by acclaimed director, producer, and screenwriter Nancy Savoca. Deutchman has been making, marketing and distributing films since 1975, having worked on more than 150 films including some of the most successful independent films of all time. He was one of the founders of Cinecom and later created Fine Line Features—two companies that were created from scratch and, in their respective times, helped define the independent film business. Deutchman co-founded Emerging Pictures, the first digital projection network in the United States and a pioneer in delivering live cultural events into movie theaters. Deutchman’s latest projects include feature documentary Searching for Mr. Rugoff, Nickel & Dimed and Radio Girls.

The Art Of Activism Award was presented by renowned journalist Amy Goodman of Democracy Now. Yates and de Onís are renowned for their Guatemala trilogy, which includes When The Mountains Tremble, Granito: How To Nail A Dictator and 500 Years. These films have been showcased globally and used as key forensic evidence in the genocide trial against Efraín Ríos Montt in Guatemala. Yates serves as the senior creative director with de Onís serving as the executive director at Skylight, a not-for-profit human rights media organization that combines cinematic arts with the quest for justice to inspire the defense of human rights. Their latest documentary, BORDERLAND | The Line Within, directed by Yates and produced by de Onis, screened at this year’s festival and investigates the costly border industrial complex that targets immigrants.

2023 Woodstock Film Festival Panels

WFF hosted a number of panels at this year’s Woodstock Film Festival, (now available to listen to on the WFF podcast) allowing attendees to hear first-hand from prominent industry figures as they discuss their filmmaking processes.

At the CONVERSATION WITH HONOREE PAUL SCHRADER + RAMIN BAHRANI panel, audiences were thrilled by an unforgettable, in-depth discussion with legendary, Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter Paul Schrader, alongside Academy Award, BAFTA, WGA, and Emmy nominee Ramin Bahrani, as they shared captivating insights and stories from their remarkable careers.

ACTORS DIALOGUE: A CONVERSATION WITH AMANDA SEYFRIED AND AYA CASH was among our most anticipated panels this year. Moderated by Martha Frankel, this panel focused on their storied careers and acting craftsmanship. A range of topics were discussed, from both Amanda and Aya’s perspectives on teamwork within the industry to some behind-the-scenes anecdotes from their well-known films. This panel was great fun and a wonderful way for attendees to learn more about these award-winning actors.

At THE FUTURE OF DOCUMENTARY, a panel sponsored by Netflix, filmmakers of a few of this year’s films came together to talk about the power of documentaries. By keeping the context of broader documentary history in mind, they addressed how docs will survive and thrive in the future. This panel featured Sandi Dubowski, Yance Ford, and Benjamin Ree, and was moderated by Jessica Edwards.

Finally, THE WOMEN IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Panel focused on some of today’s most inspiring women filmmakers, all of whom are current participating filmmakers or alumni of the Woodstock Film Festival. Yvonne Russo, Heidi Ewing, Ondi Timoner, Rebecca Miller, Christine La Monte, and Nancy Abraham came together to discuss the trajectory of their careers in collaboration with New York Women in Film & Television.


Q&A Highlights

Roger Ross Williams, THE BATTLE FOR LAIKIPIA. Photo by Jane DiMaso

Every year, WFF Filmmaker Q&As elevate our screenings to unforgettable experiences, and this year was no exception—audiences enjoyed a series of electrifying Q&As with a fantastic lineup of talented filmmakers. 

Some of the individuals who participated include:

Jill Campbell, Tyra Banks, Stacey Williams, Meira Blaustein, and Carol Alt

+ many more!

WFF 2024 Livestream

For the second year, we produced an 8-hour live stream from the Filmmaker’s Lounge of the festival hosted by Shorts Programmers Amanda Nassem and Hali Traina as well as SUNY New Paltz student Jamie Case. Filmmakers shared their filmmaking process and funny behind-the-scenes stories. All three live streams are available to watch now on the WFF YouTube channel.

Some featured guests this year were:

  • Erik Jensen & Jessica Blank of BROOKLYN, MINNESOTA (Winner of the Gray Schwartz Ultra Indie Award and the NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Directing a Narrative Film)

  • Anna Toomey & Elizabeth Toomey of LEFT BEHIND 

  • Eunice Lau of TROLL STORM (Winner of the NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Directing a Documentary Film) along with protagonist 

  • Gleb Osatinski of OBRAZA (RESENTMENT) (Winner Of Mark Braunstein Award For Best Short Narrative, Oscar Qualifying)

  • Actors Dave Davis & Alex Roe of HAZARD

  • Marco Baratta and Will Hochman of TURNING

  • Erin Mae Miller of BOUNDARY WATERS

And many more!

Woodstock Film Fest Press http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com
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