Finding Community Every Year at Woodstock: Spotlighting Our Volunteers
2025 Volunteer Cleanup Day, photo by Grace Bolander
For twenty six years, hundreds of Hudson Valley locals have volunteered to help the Woodstock Film Festival run as smoothly and safely as possible. Volunteers work at the box office, help filmmakers and guests get from location to location, run important tech and equipment, and keep track of the venues where films are being shown.
But their impact goes far beyond logistics—volunteers are the beating heart of the festival. Their energy, dedication, and passion for film help create the welcoming, community-driven atmosphere that sets Woodstock apart from other festivals. Whether it’s guiding attendees to their seats, capturing behind-the-scenes moments, or assisting in Q&As with filmmakers, every role is essential to the magic of the event.
Many volunteers return year after year, forming friendships, gaining hands-on experience, and becoming part of a vibrant creative network. From students seeking school credit to retirees looking to give back, there’s a place for everyone at the Woodstock Film Festival.
Recently, we spoke to some long-time volunteers and asked them questions about their experiences and favorite memories at the festival.
Marilyn Acquafredda, dedicated WFF volunteer.
Marilyn Acquafredda is a retired teacher from Queens who has volunteered at the Woodstock Film Festival for the past nine years. She’s worked at the Rosendale and Tinker Street theaters, taking tickets, tidying up after shows, rating movies and making custom swag bags for the guests. She says that she takes pride in being part of an aspect of the Woodstock community which causes the town to “come abuzz with excitement.”
Volunteering has allowed Marilyn to connect with people from across Ulster County that she might not have met otherwise. She admits that spotting stars like Melissa Leo, Steve Buscemi, Michael Imperioli, and the late Peter Bogdanovich is a big part of the draw. But what keeps her coming back year after year is the familiar faces of fellow volunteers, and the chance to preview independent films that otherwise wouldn’t get mass market releases.
Woodstock Playhouse, where Alice Lotosky manages events during the festival season.
For almost a decade, Alice Lotosky has been the venue manager at the Woodstock Playhouse. Having recently retired, Alice moved up to the Hudson Valley, where she found herself looking to get involved with something in the community. Working with what she describes as an “incredible number of volunteers” was as much of a highlight as getting to meet the stars.
Each year, the Playhouse is packed with people from all around the world who come together for the sense of belonging that the festival consistently brings with it. Alice says working as an event manager “gives me great pleasure and purpose. It’s a place where people can get together and see familiar faces year after year.”
We also spoke with another essential member of the Woodstock family, having volunteered for transportation and venue management. She has a business card that says “Paula J. Sibley - Professional Volunteer.” That’s a title that’s well earned, because she’s been part of the Woodstock Film Festival for the past twenty years. One of the highlights of her many years with the festival was driving writer/director Julie Taymor, whose work she admires greatly.
When asked why she keeps returning, Paula says, “the Woodstock Film Festival is an excellent organization with hard-working staff and volunteers. I come back for the opportunity to meet interesting people and the ability to earn free tickets to the films.” Thanks to her efforts, the last two decades of film showings at Woodstock have been able to run much more smoothly.
Staff, interns and press volunteers at the 25th WFF (2024).
Lastly, we had the opportunity to hear from Sue Worthman’s perspective, who has spent twelve years as a volunteer at countless different festival related events. Having semi-retired after a long career at IBM, she started volunteering as a hostess, setting up event tables, working registration and check-in at party venues, and ushering at the different movie theaters for the festival, working most closely with her friend Lauri.
She most appreciates the camaraderie, fun events, and the lovely people who come back to the festival every year. In regards to Woodstock’s effects on the local film scene, she says: “It brings excitement and engagement to our community—this past year we had ushers from out of our country. How great that they wanted to be part of this!” Sue’s dozen years of experience at the festival haven’t gone unnoticed. She and the many other yearly volunteers have formed a real community of kind and supportive people who come back because of how wonderful it is to work with one another and be part of the local arts.
Kash, Assistant Manager of Panels, Hospitality
The Woodstock Film Festival’s vision is kept alive and thriving by generous community volunteers LIKE YOU! If you are interested in signing up to volunteer at the next festival, consider filling out this online form for more information! We are always in need of press volunteers, photographers, videographers, as well as folks to join our street team, to help manage venues, help with transportation, to help sell merch, and much more. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience, connect with a vibrant local creative community and see incredible films at the 26th Annual Woodstock Film Festival!
