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On Sunday October, 18th the Woodstock Film Festival today announced winners across multiple categories for the 27th annual edition, including its juried awards for films in competition: Mouse for Best Narrative Feature, Rehearsals for a Revolution for Best Documentary Feature, Washed Up for Best Ultra Indie, They’re Here for Best Short Documentary, and more.
This year, a special Honorary Maverick Award was presented to Woodstock Film Festival Co-Founder Meira Blaustein, recognizing her visionary leadership, more than 26 years of dedication to independent cinema, and the enduring legacy she has built as she prepares to transition from her role as Executive Director.
Senator Michelle Hinchey and Meira Blaustein. Photography by John Mazlish.
For the first time in festival history, the Maverick Awards traded Saturday night for Sunday brunch. Set amid the sprawling fields, wooded trails, and mountain views of our sponsor Oz Farm in Saugerties, the reimagined celebration brought filmmakers, honorees, and guests together in a relaxed, intimate setting that feels distinctly Hudson Valley. The food and beverage sponsors included Griffin House, Empire Merchants North, Sawyer Motors, and Blue Duck Brewing Company with contributions from Bread Alone and The Station.
The Woodstock Film Festival Announces Jessica Edwards as Next Executive Director
Outgoing Executive Director and Co-Founder Meira Blaustein expressed her enthusiasm for Jessica’s appointment.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jessica at the Woodstock Film Festival over the past few years, and I have nothing but the greatest respect for her. As a filmmaker, a distribution consultant, and a former publicist, Jessica brings with her deep understanding, creative vision, and vast and strong contacts in the film industry. As a resident of the Hudson Valley, she knows and loves the region and its community. I am confident that she will not only retain the vision of the Woodstock Film Festival, which I have worked so long and hard to build and nurture, but will lead it towards an exciting new growth. I can't wait to see what the next few years will bring. Welcome, Jessica!”
Jessica Edwards and Meira Blaustein. Photography by Jason Vasquez.
Jessica Edwards shared, “To call this a dream job would be an understatement. I'm honored to build on the founders’ legacy and help shape the festival's future. Woodstock's history is shaped by its creativity, innovation, and independent spirit. I want to carry that spirit forward by bringing filmmakers and industry partners from around the world together with audiences here in the Hudson Valley. My vision for the festival is to create opportunities for people to meet, share ideas, and discover films together — connections that I hope will support filmmakers and inspire the next generation of cinema lovers."
Edwards’ appointment marks an important moment for the Woodstock Film Festival as it looks to the future, building on the strong foundation established by Meira Blaustein and the community of filmmakers, artists, supporters, and audiences who have sustained the Festival for more than two decades.
Photography by John Mazlish
Announcing the Award Winners from the 27th Annual Woodstock Film Festival
AUDIENCE AWARD – BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
RAIN REIGN, directed by Erika Burke Rossa
AUDIENCE AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
SYDNEY CASH MAKES TOO MUCH ART, directed by Ivan Cash
GIGANTIC PICTURES AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE NARRATIVE
MOUSE, directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson
Honorable Mention: JOSEPHINE, directed by Beth de Araújo
THE LEON GAST AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
REHEARSALS FOR A REVOLUTION, directed by Pegah Ahangarani
Actor Jeremy Sisto and Director Erika Burke Rossa of RAIN REIGN. Photography by Jada Hart
LAURENT REJTO MADE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY AWARD Sponsored by Kyotocolor Inc.
RAIN REIGN, directed by Erika Burke Rossa
GRAY SCHWARTZ ULTRA INDIE AWARD
WASHED UP, directed by Isabel Moncloa Daly
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
THEY’RE HERE, directed by Laura Poitras & Rachel Lauren Mueller
Honorable Mention: ONE LAST ORDER, directed by Sam Soko & Lauren Defilippo
BEST SHORT NARRATIVE
DONGMEI, directed by Rubing Zhang
BEST ANIMATION
SABA, directed by Liron Topaz
Honorable Mention: VIRGIN FANDANGO, directed by Marcy Page
WORLD OF HA CHANGEMAKER AWARD
SEIZED, directed by Sharon Liese
HASKELL WEXLER AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
NUISANCE BEAR, cinematography by Jack Weisman & Gabriela Osio Vanden
Honorable Mention: THE GREAT EXPERIMENT, directed by Stephen Maing & Eric Daniel Metzgar
NYWIFT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTING A NARRATIVE FILM
RAIN REIGN, directed by Erika Burke Rossa
NYWIFT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTING A DOCUMENTARY FILM
OUR DARK HORSE, directed by Grace Barry
NYWIFT IMPACT AWARD
RE/PAIR, directed by Lacey Schwartz Delgado
BEST EDITING, NARRATIVE AWARD
WICKER, edited by Sofi Marshall, ACE
BEST EDITING, DOCUMENTARY AWARD
TO HOLD A MOUNTAIN, edited by George Cragg
Honorable Mention: REHEARSALS FOR A REVOLUTION, edited by Arash Ashtiani
Director K.D. Chalk. Photography by Jada Hart
BEST STUDENT SHORT
BLESS THE TELEPHONE, directed by K.D. Chalk
Prize information and Jury Statements can be found in our Press Release.
For more photos from our ceremony, please visit our photo archive.