The 12th Annual Fiercely Independent Woodstock Film Festival, kicking off Wed. Sept. 21 through Sun. Sept. 25, has unveiled a sneak peak into its 2011 line-up of nearly 150 films, panels, performances and special events. Screenings and events will take place in the historic, arts colony of Woodstock, and the neighboring towns of Rhinebeck, Rosendale and Kingston, in the Hudson Valley Catskills, just two hours from NYC.
“We have an extraordinarily diverse program this year that pushes us to look within, reflect, and find ourselves,” said Meira Blaustein, WFF co-founder and Executive Director. “We are proud to present a line-up that explores timely, contemporary issues and relationships. We need these talented filmmakers to illuminate these issues, helping us see beyond current beliefs, and find hope and inspiration in ourselves and the future.”
Major films and special guests will continue to be confirmed through the summer, with the complete 2011 WFF line-up unveiled in early September.
Until then, here are some of this year’s highlights:
OPENING NIGHT FILM
PEACE, LOVE, & MISUNDERSTANDING, Directed by Bruce Beresford, (US Premiere)
In this film by WFF 2010 Honorary Maverick Award recipient Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies) Oscar nominated actress, Catherine Keener, plays a conservative lawyer who takes her two teenage children to meet their estranged, hippie grandmother (Jane Fonda) in Woodstock. Shot and produced here in the Hudson Valley, the opening night film will take place Thursday, September 22, at the newly renovated Woodstock Playhouse. Beresford, along with writers, producers and select cast will attend the Q&A after the screening.
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SPOTLIGHT FILM
ANOTHER HAPPY DAY, Directed by Sam Levinson, (East Coast Premiere)
High-strung Lynn (Ellen Barkin) and her troubled grown children (Kate Bosworth and Ezra Miller) journey deep into the heart of domestic darkness to attend the wedding of her estranged eldest son. (* ELLEN BARKIN will be the recipient of the WFF Excellence in Acting Award at the Saturday September 24th, Gala Maverick Awards Ceremony. She will be in attendance for the Q&A, and the Award ceremony.)
Two-time Golden Globe Award Nominated actress and Emmy Award winner, ELLEN BARKIN, is known for her remarkable roles in Sea of Love (1989), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) and more recently Ocean’s Thirteen (2007).
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SPECIAL SCREENING
GIVING BACK, Directed by Meera Gandhi
International humanitarian, author and filmmaker Meera Gandhi explores the deeply personal and unique ways in which her friends from around the world “give back” to humanity. A conversation on global philanthropy will follow the screening of this riveting short documentary. (*Academy Award Nominated actor, MARK RUFFALO, will receive the very first honorary Meera Gandhi Giving Back award for his community activism involving safe water and hydro-fracking in the Catskills. Ms. Gandhi will present the award to Mark Ruffalo at the Saturday September 24th, Gala Maverick Awards Ceremony.)
Academy Award Nominated actor, MARK RUFFALO, is a resident of the Catskills and an active supporter of the anti-fracking movement, traveling to Albany and Washington to protect safe water for the region. Easily moving between stage and screen his most recent roles include Collateral (2004), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Shutter Island (2010) and The Kids Are All Right (2010).
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HONORARY TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Public advocacy for the arts pioneer ROBIN BRONK will receive the Honorary Trailblazer Award at the Saturday September 24th, Gala Maverick Awards Ceremony for her tireless fighting and commitment to believing in the power of creativity in the arts to effect social change.
ROBIN BRONK is Chief Executive Officer of The Creative Coalitionโthe leading national, nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment industry. Bronk is dedicated to educating, mobilizing and activating the entertainment industry and arts community on issues of public importance, particularly the First Amendment, arts advocacy and media literacy. The Creative Coalition includes Hollywood’s leading activist actors.
SPECIAL COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE CONSULATE OF SPAIN
This year, in collaboration with the Consulate of Spain in New York, WFF will present two distinguished films by Spanish filmmakers, with both directors in attendance for the Q&A after the screenings. In addition, there will be a Gala Celebration of Spanish Culture, including live music from renowned Flamenco guitarist Javier Limรณn, and samplings of Spanish cuisine and beverages, at the annual WFF Filmmakers Party, Friday night, September 23. Details to be announced.
EVEN THE RAIN, Directed by Icรญar Bollaรญn
Even the Rain sets up an intriguing dialogue about Spanish imperialism through incidents taking place some 500 years apart, while examining the personal belief systems of the members of a film crew headed by director Sebastian (Gael Garcia Bernal) and his producer Costa (Luis Tosar) who arrive in Bolivia to make a revisionist film about the conquest of Latin America.
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PAPER BIRDS, Directed by Emilio Aragรฟn
A Musician , a ventriloquist, a singer and an orphan named Miguel make up an unlikely family of lost souls, struggling to get by one day at a time, sharing their joys and sorrows and their only escape from the misery around them: their music. As it turns out, when bread is scarce, applause can really hit the spot. But right away they are put to the test and forced to make decisions that will place their lives in jeopardy.
NARRATIVE FEATURES
COMING UP ROSES, Directed by Lisa Albright, (World Premiere)
Young Alice (Rachel Brosnahan) and her theatrical mother, Diane (Bernadette Peters) desperately hold onto each other and the fantasy of a better life. A dangerous neighborhood, money troubles, even Diane’s relentless depression will not defeat them. But is their love and determination enough? A break out dramatic role for Broadway superstar Bernadette Peters.
FILMS FROM THE HUDSON VALLEY
WFF is passionately committed to supporting regional filmmakers and film production. In addition to Peace, Love and Misunderstanding, WFF will once again showcase some of the many films with Hudson Valley ties, some of which were shot and produced with assistance by WFF’s sister organization, the Hudson Valley Film Commission
WFF MAVERICK AWARDS CEREMONY
The 12th annual Gala Maverick Awards Ceremony has become one of the most talked-about events in indie film, attracting more than 200 filmmakers and industry leaders. It will take place Saturday, September 24th, 9pm at BSP Studios in Kingston. The event is open to the public. Program and ticket information to be announced.
TICKETS AND LOGISTICS
Advance single admission tickets will be available for purchase by early September at the festival’s secure website, www.woodstockfilmfestival.com, and in person at the Festival Box Office, 13 Rock City Rd., Woodstock. Box office opening dates and hours to be announced. A limited number of special Full Festival Passes are already available for purchase here.
Reserve early. Shows tend to sell out quickly. Ticket prices for WFF events range from $8-$75. Panels range in price from $15-$20. There are also a limited number of tickets available for the Gala Awards Ceremony. For more information contact the Box Office at (845) 810-0131. Single purchase tickets will also be available at each screening venue.
About the Woodstock Film Festival
Hailed by Indiewire as “A true American Maverick Among Fests” and praised by actor Ethan Hawke as “among the finest of a dying breed: a festival that isn’t trying to sell you anything, but simply and beautifully celebrating the art & craft of filmmaking”, the Woodstock Film Festival premiers exceptional films, hosts the most talented emerging and established professionals in the movie industry; presents A-list concerts, panels and parties, and creates stimulating, innovative programming year-round.
The Woodstock Film Festival is a non-profit, 501 (C)(3) with a mission to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film, music and art-related activities that promote artists, culture, inspired learning and diversity.
The Woodstock Film Festival celebrates its 12th Annual Festival September 21- 25, 2011, with an extraordinary line-up of fiercely independent films, panels, concerts and special events in Woodstock and the neighboring towns of Rhinebeck, Kingston and Rosendale. www.woodstockfilmfestival.com.