Dedicated to Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004) It was with great sadness that we recently marked the passing of Elmer Bernstein, the legendary Academy Award-winning composer and great friend and mentor to the Woodstock Film Festival. Elmer was a longtime Woodstocker whose artistry, integrity, and personal kindness will forever live on in the magnificent scores he composed over a career that spanned more than half a century. Known as one of the titans of Hollywood’s golden age, Bernstein was nominated fourteen times for an Oscar, having written the scores for more than 200 films including The Ten Commandments, The Man with the Golden Arm, The Magnificent Seven, To Kill a Mockingbird, True Grit, The Great Escape, Animal House, and The Age of Innocence. Elmer remained on the cutting edge of his profession into his eighties. In 2002, he was nom- inated for an Oscar for his brilliant score for Far from Heaven. We join the world in celebrating the man and his music and are thankful to have known him. “For over a hundred years, Woodstock has been a place of dreams and magic. It was a place of dreams for visual art, for crafts, for music, for popular music, for theater, for political philosophy, for alternative lifestyles, and it is entirely fitting that Woodstock should become a place of dreams and magic for films at this time.” (ELMER BERNSTEIN, COMPOSER, WFF HONORARY CHAIR, FRIEND, MENTOR) Catskill MOuntain Foundation TABLE OF CONTENTS Join us for our Fiercely Independent The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501 (C)(3) organization with a mission to present an annu- al program and year-round schedule of film, music, and art-related activities that promote artists, culture, inspired learning, and diversity. The Woodstock Film Commission promotes sustainable economic develop- ment by attracting and supporting film, video, and media production. Contact info FILMS & EVENTS Woodstock Film Festival, Inc. Narrative Features PO Box 1406, Woodstock, NY. 12498 25 e. [email protected] w. www.woodstockfilmfestival.com 47 Documentary Features 62 Animated Films INFORMATION 65 Shorts 7 Introduction 80 Youth Initiative Woodstock, Hunter & Rhinebeck Box Office Location: 8 Woodstock Film Festival 103 Mill Hill Road, 81 Special Events 10 Acknowledgments (Routes 212 & 375 in Woodstock) Woodstock, NY. 12498 t. 845 679-6997 (box office) 82 Music 12 Sponsors & Contributors List t. 845 679-4265 (administration) e. [email protected] 13 Thank You Tickets and up to date schedule info 84 Panels are available online at www.woodstockfilmfestival.com 14 About Woodstock Film Festival 87 Schedule **ALL INFORMATION IN THE PRE-FESTIVAL PROGRAM IS 16 Sponsors SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 18 Advisory Board 21 Letters 23 Maverick Awards 44 Woodstock, Hunter & Rhinebeck 86 Ticket Information 95 Hospitality Sponsors 96 Print Source Contacts 92 Local Support 94 Listings 99 Souvenirs 100 How to Get Their 101 Maps 5 INTRODUCTION Just five years ago two independent filmmakers, following their dreams and encour- aged by community and filmmaker support, launched a grass roots film festival in the beautiful arts colony of Woodstock, New York. Magic seemed to fill the air as make-shift screening venues sprung up at galleries and community centers and lines of people waited to see great indie films they couldn’t see elsewhere. The Woodstock Film Festival was born. As the years went on, the festival grew and matured, doubling and tripling in size, establishing itself as an important arena for emerging filmmakers. It provided just the right mix of industry know how, A- list participants and high quality filmmaking, in a friendly, casual setting, conducive to creativity, excit- ing opportunities and a good time! As the Woodstock Film Festival reaches its 5th Anniversary, we are thrilled and astonished by the accom- plishments of the festival itself and by those of the filmmakers around us. The art of filmmaking continues to grow and reshape itself, breaking new grounds, reaching new heights. As we look around us, awed by the success indie documentaries and narrative are having all over the world, we are humbled now, more than ever, to be able to offer a platform for these brave new voices of the filmmakers of today and of tomorrow. During these next few exciting days you will have the oppor- tunity to meet, talk, watch and listen to some of the best voices of today’s independent filmmaking. We urge you to take full advantage of the outstanding program, and to celebrate the beauty, the thought, the bravery and artistry that is weaved within the works presented here. These filmmakers are trying to make a difference. So lets all empower and encourage them to do just that. Because a good work of art, be it film, music, painting, dance or a book, can and should change our perceptions, our habits, our beliefs, our world. To all the tremendous volunteers, staff members, board members, hosts, sponsors, industry, audi- ences and community supporters – a huge, heartfelt thank you! Without you the Woodstock Film Festival could not have continued to flourish! To the wonderful towns of Woodstock, Rhinebeck and Hunter – thank you for being gracious hosts to the festival and its participants. To everyone, during your stay with us, do visit the fabulous shops, the many galleries, restaurants and stunning natural beauty that for more than a century has made the Hudson Valley Catskills a true visitors haven. See you at the movies! Meira Blaustein Laurent Rejto 7 WOODSTOCK, HUNTER & RHINEBECK WOODSTOCK HUNTER RHINEBECK Just two hours from New York City, Only thirty minutes from Woodstock, Rhinebeck, ninety miles north of NYC Woodstock is the cornerstone of the reemer- Hunter is a scenic area steeped in American in Dutchess County, is often the focus of gence of the Hudson Valley Catskills as a cen- history and folklore. Including two incor- features in the New York Times and New York ter for the arts, culture, alternative lifestyles, porated villages, Hunter and Tannersville, Magazine. An idyllic community, it is situat- eclectic shopping, and great restaurants. The and the hamlets of Haines Falls, Elka Park, ed on the Hudson River, is easily reachable town has always been known for its illustri- and Lanesville, this spectacular area was a by car or public transportation, and offers ous inhabitants—writers, musicians, artists, mecca for tourism in the late 19th century, relaxed yet sophisticated country living. filmmakers, and other creative folk—and first when three railroads brought in hundreds With its myriad of shops, antique stores, gained notoriety in the early 1900s when res- of visitors and Hudson River School restaurants, and cultural venues—including idents were “greeted” by the arrival of free- painters translated onto canvas the sublime Upstate Films, historic Rhinebeck becomes thinking bohemians and city dwellers. beauty of the area. increasingly more attractive each year to The Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, founded at Today, Hunter is home to a world-class those seeking a second home or a weekend the turn of the century by artisan philoso- ski area, Hunter Mountain, and a cultural getaway. phers who settled on the mountainside above arts organization, the Catskill Mountain Historically speaking, Rhinebeck owes Woodstock to create a Utopian society based Foundation, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. The its culturally diverse background to the on arts and crafts, continues as an active, CMF offers a variety of programs year- Sepasco Indians, Dutch settlers, the working artists colony with a year-round pres- round, including live performances of Underground Railroad, and Chief Justice of ence of music, theater, writing workshops, music, theater, and dance; gallery exhibits New York and Chancellor Robert Livingston martial arts, sculpture, painting, and pottery of fine arts and crafts; a two-screen movie (contributor to the Declaration of classes. theater; a bookstore, the annual Mountain Independence), among many others. The Music has always been a popular part of Culture Festival; Elderhostel programs; stu- Hudson River National Historic Landmark the town’s mystique, and in the late sixties, dio arts education programs; a working District, in which Rhinebeck is located, has resident musicians such as Bob Dylan, The natural agriculture farm and educational been home to scions of business and indus- Band, and Jimi Hendrix (who recorded in facility; and a farm market featuring region- try, presidents, and statesman who built what is now the Tinker Street Cinema) placed al produce and specialty foods. Located in their mansions along the Hudson River. Woodstock on the rock n’ roll map. The leg- nearby Maplecrest, Sugar Maples Center for Many of these estates are today open to vis- endary 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Arts and Education is a school for students itors, just across the majestic Hudson River, Festival remains etched in pop history, defin- of all levels, offering an extensive fine arts Rhinebeck’s close proximity to Woodstock ing a generation and Woodstock’s counter- and crafts curriculum within state-of-the- enables visitors to easily visit both locations cultural nature. art facilities. during a short stay and both Rhinebeck and From this wellspring of creativity, the Hunter also boasts many fine lodging Woodstock reward their visitors with a Woodstock Film Festival bloomed in the new establishments, from lovingly restored memorable and magical experience. millennium as a natural outgrowth of the B&Bs to fine resorts and hotels. Dining town’s innovative spirit. The