Woodstock Film Festival LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast

The Non-Fiction Hotlist + the Sports Betting Documentary STATE OF GAMBLING w/ Adam Neuhaus and Kyle Thrash

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

In Episode 34, filmmaker Kyle Thrash and producer Adam Neuhaus speak about the process of creating a documentary independently, without support from the film industry. They share insights into the inspiring journey of filmmakers coming together to support one another through Adam’s The Non-Fiction Hotlist, and how that experience contrasts with working under the influence of industry executives. Kyle also discusses the subject of his forthcoming documentary STATE OF GAMBLING, shedding light on the surprisingly pervasive influence of the world of sports betting.

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Developing a Short into a Feature with Sundance Award Winner Rashad Frett

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In Episode 33, host and WFF shorts programmer Amanda Naseem speaks with director Rashad Frett about the making of his award-winning short film RICKY and how he is currently working on a feature-length version. Rashad also discusses his journey in finding himself as an artist and filmmaker and the process of casting non-actors and family members.

Rashad Frett is an award-winning Caribbean-American filmmaker. He is an NYU Tisch Graduate Film alumni, a Spike Lee Film Production fellow, a Ryan Murphy HALF Initiative fellow, a Sundance Feature Film Lab fellow, and a Cary Fukunaga Production fellow. In 2023 he was named one of Filmmaker magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film.” His feature film RICKY won the Best Directing Award in 2025 Sundance Film festival's U.S. Dramatic Competition category and Best Short Doc at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival. To learn more about Rashad, check out his website.

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Establishing Trust With Your Documentary Subjects with Oscar Nominated Filmmakers Smriti Mundhra + Maya Gnyp

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0500

In Episode 32, we talk with Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp, the Director and Producer of the Oscar-nominated short documentary, I AM READY, WARDEN. Mundhra and Gnyp share the importance of establishing trust with the subjects of their documentary in creating an authentic representation of a death row prisoner seeking redemption.

Smriti Mundhra is a DGA Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and three-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker. She created and directed Netflix’s “The Romantics,” a four-part documentary series about Bollywood’s history. Her 2019 Oscar-nominated documentary short “St. Louis Superman,” was acquired by MTV Documentary Films in a multi-studio bidding war. Her most recent short, “I Am Ready, Warden,” was nominated in the 97th Academy Awards.

Maya Gnyp is an Oscar and Emmy-nominated Producer of documentary film and television. This year, she is the Executive Producer of “Muslim Matchmaker” for HULU/ABC and was nominated for her short documentary film, “I Am Ready, Warden”. Her film, “Shelter,” was nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy, NAACP Image Award, and the Humanitas Prize.

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2024 WFF Panel: Carla Gutiérrez and Roger Ross Williams Talk About FRIDA

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0500

WFF Panel Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios

Carla Gutiérrez is an Emmy-nominated documentary director/editor. Her directorial debut, FRIDA, premiered at Sundance 2024 and she edited the Oscar-nominated films RBG and La Corona. Carla is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and the American Cinema Editors.

Roger Ross Williams is an Oscar, Emmy, Peabody, and NAACP Image award-winning director, producer, and writer – and the first African American director to win an Academy Award, with his film Music By Prudence.

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2024 WFF Panel: AI and the Creative Process with Nicolas Neubert

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0500

AI has been making its way into many areas of society over the last two years including the creative arts and filmmaking. As a versatile tool, AI is being embraced by many artists, filmmakers, and studios to explore new ideas and bring their visions to life. These tools are already streamlining production processes and lowering budgets, while simultaneously sparking discussions about their impact on the creative industry at large. This panel of filmmakers, artists, and AI tool builders will discuss these new tools and their impact on creativity.

With Runway AI Creative Team member Nicolas Neubert, Philip Shane, Kris Lefcoe, and Eunice Lau

Moderated by Filmmaker Magazine Co-Founder / Editor in Chief Scott Macauley

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2024 WFF Panel: The Future of Documentary | Sandi DuBowski, Yance Ford, Benjamin Ree + Jessica Edwards

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0500

Amidst the softest distribution market in decades, at the peak of its popularity, documentary filmmaking has reached an inflection point. In this wide-ranging conversation with some of the most prolific filmmakers in the industry, we take a “bird's-eye” view of the challenges and opportunities. Addressing audience engagement and career sustainability while contextualizing our current climate in broader documentary history, the panel addresses how docs will survive and thrive into the future.

With Sandi DuBowski, Yance Ford, and Benjamin Ree. Moderated by Jessica Edwards.

Sandi DuBowski is the director/producer of Sabbath Queen and Trembling Before G-D, producer of A Jihad For Love, and co-producer of Budrus. His award-winning work screened at Sundance, Berlin, Tribeca, Toronto, and he is a doc branch member of the Academy.

Director Yance Ford's documentary Power premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. His film Strong Island was nominated for an Oscar in 2018 and won the 2019 Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Film.

Benjamin Ree’s The Remarkable Life of Ibelin received the Audience Award and Directing Award in World Documentary at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. His previous film The Painter and the Thief received a 2020 Sundance World Documentary Special Jury Award.

Jessica Edwards is a Peabody award-winning director, producer, and publicist. In 2010, she launched Film First to produce short and feature-length documentaries. Since then, she’s created and released dozens of projects across all platforms.

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2024 WFF Panel: Women in Driver Seat with Ondi Timoner + Heidi Ewing co-presented by NYWIFT

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0500

Today’s women filmmakers are calling the shots, whether with a movie camera on their shoulder, a pen in their hand, an idea in their head, or a computer and a desk at their feet. In this conversation co-presented by New York Women in Film & Television, meet some of today’s most inspiring filmmakers, all current participating filmmakers or alumni of the Woodstock Film Festival, as they discuss the trajectory of their careers.

With Yvonne Russo, Heidi Ewing, Ondi Timoner, Rebecca Miller, Christine La Monte and Nancy Abraham

Moderated by NYWIFT’s Executive Director Cynthia Lopez

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2024 WFF Panel: Independents Days - A Conversation with Honoree Paul Schrader + Ramin Bahrani

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter Paul Schrader’s acclaimed films include AMERICAN GIGOLO, MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS, AFFLICTION, FIRST REFORMED, THE CARD COUNTER and MASTER GARDENER. He also collaborated with Martin Scorsese, writing TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, and THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

Academy Award, BAFTA, WGA, and Emmy nominee Ramin Bahrani is the writer, director and producer of such films as MAN PUSH CART, CHOP SHOP, 99 HOMES, and THE WHITE TIGER.

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2024 WFF Panel: Actors Dialogue: A Conversation With Amanda Seyfried + Aya Cash

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

With Amanda Seyfried and Aya Cash. Moderated by Martha Frankel.

A frank and in-depth conversation with actors Amanda Seyfried and Aya Cash, focusing on their storied careers and their acting craftsmanship. As successful actors, the two discuss teamwork (actors with actors, actors with directors), and share anecdotes from some of their more well known films. A not-to-be-missed glimpse into the behind the scenes of the career trajectory of award-winning actors.

Amanda Seyfried is an award-winning actress known for her roles in MANK and THE DROPOUT, as well as the beloved MAMMA MIA! Her career spans film, television, and stage, with diverse upcoming projects highlighting her versatility.

Aya Cash can currently be seen starring in Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes’ HBO comedy series, THE FRANCHISE and next year, she will star in, and executive produce the much-anticipated THE BOYS prequel series, VOUGHT RISING for Amazon Prime.

Cash most recently appeared opposite Elle Fanning in the Hulu limited series THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer in the Showtime limited series THE FIRST LADY, and in the Fox comedy WELCOME TO FLATCH. Aya’s major television credits include Amazon’s Emmy-nominated, hit series THE BOYS, for which she won a Critics Choice Super Award; FX’s Emmy-nominated mini-series FOSSE/VERDON alongside Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams, and FXX’s critical hit comedy, YOU’RE THE WORST created by Stephen Falk, which earned her 2016 TCA and Critics Choice Award nominations.

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Highlights From The 2024 Features Lineup with Programmer Amir Bogen

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In Episode 27, Adam Schartoff talks with WFF features programmer, Amir Bogen, to highlight feature films in this year’s lineup. The two speak on the process of finding and securing these films, including scouting other festival, to find the most unique and diverse voices they can find.

Amir Bogen is an American-Israeli film journalist. For over 20 years, he has worked as a journalist for Ynet (Israel's biggest news website) as a writer, editor, researcher and film critic. Even after so many years of working as a journalist, he still has this passion and hunger for storytelling, and as a Features Programmer at the Woodstock Film Festival, he is able to continue following his passion.

Check out this years
2024 Feature Narratives
2024 Feature Documentaries

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Highlights from the 2024 Shorts Lineup with Joy Buran, Noelle Melody and Amanda Naseem

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In Episode 26, we talk with WFF shorts programmers Joy Buran, Noelle Melody and Amanda Naseem about the process of selecting films that align with their creative visions for the festival. The three speak on what it took to choose films through the record number of submissions they received, and the importance of seeking out unique and diverse stories.

This episode also dives into some of this years selections, screening in 17 shorts blocks, including “This Is America”, “Hilarity”, and “Long Live your Resistance”. Along with that, several films are highlighted.

Amanda Naseem, a Bard College Graduate based in Queens, quickly emerged into Woodstock Film Festival early on in her career as an assistant to Meira Blaustein, the Executive Director of the festival. In 2019 Amanda became a film programmer at Woodstock Film Festival and found a love for working with independent film to give film-makers a voice for their stories.

Joy Buran and Noelle Melody, an Annie-nominated animation and design team based in NY have been curating the Animation Program at the Woodstock Film Festival since 2016. With Joy in the city and Noelle in the Catskill mountains, the two focus on story-driven work, ranging from commercial projects to independent films.

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2024 Shorts: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/2024-shorts

Desperately Seeking Susan + Female Directors In The 80's NYC Indie Film Scene with Susan Seidelman

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode 25

In Episode 25, we talk to director and author Susan Seidelman about the process of crafting her memoir, Desperately Seeking Something, her experiences as a female filmmaker in the ‘80s, and the lasting legacy of her films, including the 1985 cult classic DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, starring Madonna.

A graduate of NYU Grad Film School, Susan Seidelman began her career in the 1980s when SMITHEREENS became the first American Independent film to be accepted into the Cannes Film Festival. Her film, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, starring Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, was a critical and commercial success. She has directed dozens of other films starring actors such as Meryl Streep, Brooke Shields, and Sally Field.

ABOUT THE BOOK: In her memoir Desperately Seeking Something, Seidelmen shares a funny and insightful first-person story of her life from her Twiggy-obsessed girlhood to the Madonna-mania of the 80’s and beyond.

ABOUT THE FILM: Bored New Jersey housewife Roberta (Rosanna Arquette) only knows Susan (Madonna) through reading personal ads seeking her—until a bump on the head leads to a bout of amnesia and her taking on Susan’s identity.

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Civil Rights Era Photographer/FBI Informant Ernest Withers, Dissent & Surveillance with Phil Bertelsen & Lise Yasui

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In episode 24, we chat with Director Phil Bertelsen and Producer Lise Yasui about their documentary THE PICTURE TAKER, which explores the complicated life of Civil Rights photographer and FBI informant Ernest Withers. The filmmakers discuss in detail the 15-year journey to make the film, Withers’ complicated legacy, and the importance of exposing government surveillance in times of dissent.

“It’s not really a simple story of hero or villain.” –Phil Bertelsen

Phil Bertelsen is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer and director who uses film and television to entertain, inspire, and provoke audiences. Most recently, Phil’s feature documentary The Picture Taker was nominated for a Peabody Award. His History Channel documentary 761st Tank Battalion with Morgan Freeman is now streaming on Hulu, along with his episode of the Emmy winning documentary series, The 1619 Project. His previous project Who Killed Malcolm X, is a six-part series currently on Netflix that prompted a reinvestigation of the decades-old crime resulting in the exoneration of two wrongly convicted men.

Lise Yasui is a Philadelphia-based independent producer. She directed the Oscar-nominated film, Family Gathering, which explored the legacy effects of the WWII Japanese American internment on her family. It aired on PBS's American Experience series and on the BBC. She was a producer on the PBS Frontline special: The Gate of Heavenly Peace, which examined the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy movement in China and won a Peabody. Yasui was the lead producer, researcher, and archivist on The Picture Taker.

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THE PICTURE TAKER is on PBS + also available on GoodDocs.net

Phil Bertelsen Additional Projects:
Who Killed Malcolm X on Netflix
The 1619 Project on Hulu
761st Tank Battalion on Hulu

Submit your film to WFF and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

Dream Team Collaborators + Film Festival Submission Tips with Djaka Souaré and & Anthony Lalor

Tue, 21 May 2024 10:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #23

In this episode, we talk with Actor/Producer Djaka Souaré and Actor Anthony Lalor about their new short film CUT ME IF YOU CAN, a satire about the racist and sexist tropes we see in horror films. Djaka and Anthony talk about creating black characters in non-stereotypical roles, meeting dream collaborators, and the festival circuit + Djaka recommends some lesser-known festivals to consider submitting your film to.

Djaka Souaré is an actress and filmmaker of Guinean & French descent. In 2023, Djaka produced the short film “Reunion,” Executive Produced by Danaï Gurira & Lupita N’yongo that has qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards. She was also part of the 2023 AFRIFF & CANEX “Script to Screen” program, where she developed her first feature script and won the pitch competition. Djaka’s first short film, “Jazz in Wakanda,” which she wrote, directed, produced, and in which she starred, sold to COMCAST. Previously, Djaka worked at Goldcrest & Saboteur Media, and produced two documentaries that both opened at TriBeCa.

Anthony Lalor is a born and raised New York actor who graduated with a BA from Le Moyne College. Member of Classical Theatre of Harlem, Anthony’s credits include ‘The Tempest,’ ‘Antigone,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Midsummers Night’s Dream.’ Anthony is developing a TV dramedy based about a group of friends living in NYC.

Instagram:
Djakasouare1
Anthonyf.lalor

Submit your films to WFF (https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/callforentry) plus included are Djaka’s recommended African film festivals:

FESTIVAL DAKAR COURTS https://www.festivaldakarcourt.com/
FESPACO https://fespaco.bf/appel-a-films-fespaco-2025/
DURBAN FILM FESTIVAL https://filmfreeway.com/DurbanFilmFest

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The Power of Short Films & Creating a Successful Film Festival Strategy | Julie Sharbutt & Anastasia Rykova

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0400

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #22

In this episode, we chat with filmmakers Julie Sharbutt and Anastasia Rykova, whose shorts SCAM and THE TALE OF TWO CRUEL RULERS were featured at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival.

Julie Sharbutt is a Genre and Comedy filmmaker and writer based in LA. Her 2023 short film SCAM has screened at Woodstock, Fantaspoa and more. The 2021 short CUPIDS she co-wrote premiered at Tribeca. Her short film 3 DAYS is on ALTER, her feature MOVED on Amazon. Julie is a Warner Bros Discovery OneFifty New Storytellers Initiative alumni, and member of Film Fatales and Alliance of Women Directors. Her humor writing can be seen in The New Yorker and McSweeneys. MFA: Acting from NYU, BA: Vanderbilt. She loves hiking, volunteering, and ghost stories.

Anastasia Rykova is an award-winning animation filmmaker, visual development artist, and art director. With over 9 years of experience in Fine Arts, she came to the United States in 2019 to study Computer Animation. She believes that every message and emotion has its perfect storytelling form, and she fell in love with animation because of the multitude of storytelling tools it encompasses. She finds her mission in healing through creation and in reminding everyone that animation is one of the most powerful forms of art.

Julie Sharbutt
https://www.instagram.com/jcsharbs

Anastasia Rykova
https://www.instagram.com/xaosart/

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The Impact of the Environmental Health Movement in the film FEEDING TOMORROW with Oliver English

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #21

In this episode, we chat with filmmaker and food advocate Oliver English about his recent film, FEEDING TOMORROW. Oliver talks about the impact of his solutions-oriented film, from regenerative farming, growing food on rooftops at Brooklyn Grange, the first farm built inside of a hospital that provides healthy food to patients, and much more!

Oliver English is a filmmaker, photographer, chef, and food advocate born in raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Common Table Creative, an impact-driven production and hospitality company. His film FEEDING TOMORROW has already been recognized by several film festivals, winning the Ceres Best Feature Documentary Award and being named as the official selection by both the Bahamas International Film Festival and the Woodstock Film Festival.

Watch the film FEEDING TOMORROW. Connect with Oliver English on Instagram.

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Addressing Immigrant and Disability Rights in the film UNSEEN with Set Hernandez & Pedro

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0500

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #20

In this episode, we discuss with 2023 WFF filmmaker alumnus Set Hernandez and his close friend, Pedro, the subject of his most recent film, UNSEEN. Together they explore the creative approaches to documentary filmmaking that assist in representing Pedro’s intersectionality as a disabled, immigrant social worker. They simultaneously discuss the social impact filmmakers can have on audiences as well as the captivating story of UNSEEN’s development in this riveting interview.

Set Hernandez (they/she/he) is a filmmaker and community organizer whose roots come from Bicol, Philippines. Their feature documentary debut, “unseen,” had its world premiere at Hot Docs 2023. Set’s past documentary work includes directing the award-winning short COVER/AGE (2019) and impact producing for Call Her Ganda (Tribeca, 2018). An alumnus of the Disruptors Fellowship, Set is currently developing both a TV comedy pilot and a feature-length screenplay. Their work has been supported by the Sundance Institute, NBCUniversal, the Gotham Institute, and the Woodstock Film Festival, among other organizations.

UNSEEN has already received multiple accolades, including: the Official Hotdocs Selection, the CAAMFest 2023 Documentary Award, the 2023 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Audience Award, the 2023 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Emerging Filmmaker Award, and the 2023 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Social Change Award.

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Chelsea Bo & Ava Ava Acres | Improvisation & the Making of the Indie Film NO RIGHT WAY

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #19

In this episode, writer/director Chelsea Bo and actor Ava Acres talk about making the narrative film NO RIGHT WAY by improvising the script, which brings a totally fresh and new kind of realism to an indie film about single motherhood.

Chelsea Bo is a writer/director with a theater and improv background. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film & Television and was selected for both Film Independent’s Incubator Lab and Village Roadshow’s Emerging Talent Program. Chelsea co-founded the production company Paxeros with her husband/producing partner Sean Drummond, and together they have produced three feature films, including Joshua Leonard’s Fully Realized Humans (Tribeca, 2020) and Sarah Adina Smith’s The Drop (Tribeca, 2022). No Right Way is her feature directorial debut.

Ava Acres is one of Hollywood's most versatile young actors. She played "Madeline" in AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL, young "Queen Regina" in ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME, and recurred as young "Rebecca" in CW's award-winning musical comedy CRAZY EX GIRLFRIEND. Ava's recent credits include a recurring role on Ryan Murphy's 9-1-1 (Fox), HANDSOME: A NETFLIX MURDER MYSTERY, and WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: TEN YEARS LATER. Ava can also be seen as the evil supervillain Katya in MARVEL's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., and appeared in season 7 of MAD MEN as Susie. Other television work includes a TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE pilot for CBS, a series regular role on the Fox comedy pilot OUTNUMBERED, roles on WEEDS, HARRY'S LAW, CRIMINAL MINDS, and more.

Support the NO RIGHT WAY indie filmmakers on GoFundMe!

Paxeros

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The Nikki Giovanni Documentary & Film Fests vs Community Screenings with Michèle Stephenson & Joe Brewster

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0500

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #18

In this episode, we chat with Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson about their latest award-winning films GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT, the short film BLACK GIRLS PLAY: THE STORY OF HAND GAMES, and the importance of communal viewing and how film festivals contribute to that experience.

Producer and Director Joe Brewster is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who uses his training as the foundation in approaching the social issues he tackles as an artist and filmmaker. Brewster wrote and directed his first film, The Keeper (1995), after a two year-long stint as a prison psychiatrist at the notorious Brooklyn House of Detention. Filmmaker, artist and author, Michèle Stephenson, pulls from her Haitian and Panamanian roots to think radically about storytelling and disrupt the imaginary in non-fiction spaces. She tells emotionally driven personal stories of resistance and identity that center the lived experiences of communities of color in the Americas and the Black diaspora.

Rada Studio

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Genre FiIms & How They Can be Used to Address Social Issues with Larry Fessenden

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0500

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #17
In this episode, we chat with Actor and Director Larry Fessenden about his independent horror films and how they showcase the impending doom of present societal issues. Fessenden is an actor, writer, director, and producer and the head of the NY-based independent production shingle Glass Eye Pix with the mission of supporting individual voices in the arts.

Larry Fessenden
Glass Eye Pix

Topics Discussed:
- Larry’s horror films and their relation to modern social issues
- Importance of Woodstock Film Festival for smaller artists
- Why Larry chooses to inspire/mentor others
- The importance of local and smaller “voices”; supporting small businesses and ideas

For More Episodes: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

Uncovering Untold/Improperly Told Stories with Filmmaker Yoruba Richen

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode # 16

In this episode, we chat with Director, Producer, and Screenwriter Yoruba Richen about her work on uncovering never-before-told, or otherwise improperly told, stories through her many films. Yoruba Richen is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker whose work has been featured on multiple outlets, including Netflix, MSNBC, FX/Hulu, HBO, and PBS. One of her most recent films THE REBELLIOUS LIFE OF MRS. ROSA PARKS premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and won a Peabody and Gracie Award. It is currently streaming on Peacock. Other recent films include HOW IT FEELS TO BE FREE (American Masters), THE SIT-IN: HARRY BELAFONTE HOSTS THE TONIGHT SHOW” (Peacock), and “GREEN BOOK: GUIDE TO FREEDOM” (Smithsonian Channel).

Info and Links:
Yoruba Richen
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter/X

Topics Discussed:

What got Yoruba into film/documentary work
Her work on “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks”
Her work with the Woodstock Film Festival

Making the film IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT with co-director Stephen Gerard Kelly

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0500

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #15

In this episode, we chat with Director and Cinematographer Stephen Gerard Kelly about his latest film IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT. Stephen Gerard Kelly is an Ireland-raised artist with a sensitivity around post-colonial power structures and a background in development and conflict research. He spent five years living in Beirut, listening, understanding, and filming issues facing vulnerable communities displaced by sectarianism, conflict, and a lack of economic opportunities, particularly in Sabra and Shatila. After directing and filming his debut feature-length documentary film In the Shadow of Beirut, he is continuing to develop impactful, compelling, cinematic documentaries while working with experienced teams on clever independent fictional films exploring social themes.

IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT: Ireland's Selection for Oscars® 2024

From the makers of GAZA (Sundance 2019), comes a new cinematic odyssey that penetrates deep below the surface of Beirut, a still beautiful, yet deeply troubled city on the brink of financial collapse.

Tue. 11/14/23 @ 7pm: IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT Screening + Filmmakers Q&A: International Feature Film & longlisted for Best Documentary Feature

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Kim Jackson | A.I. vs Human Creativity and Building Community through Cinema

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Kim Jackson is a critically acclaimed producer and production manager. Some of her work includes DOWN WITH THE KING (2021), TRUST MACHINE: THE STORY OF BLOCKCHAIN (2018), and BLUE CAPRICE (2013). She currently serves as the VP of development for New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT). Among other things, she is also a co-founder of the creative studio Evotion.

Topics discussed: NYWIFT, benefits of membership, equality of women in film in 2023, artificial intelligence vs human creativity, monitoring AI and the lack of ethics in the US, the age of technology, storytelling on a screen, cinema is community, Kim’s film DOWN WITH THE KING (2021) and what film producers do.

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Woodstock Film Festival 2023 Panel: Current + Future State of Indie Cinema | John Sloss | Eugene Hernandez | Bob Berney | Wendy Ettinger

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0400

In the 1990s, original storytelling rose on the back of new technology, as VCR and DVD revenue flowed into the recoupment waterfall. Risking $1 million to make and market a new film became a “why not” – Until streaming platforms eclipsed all distribution. Audiences increased while revenues diminished. Today, the monolithic streaming model has proved unsustainable. When Hollywood studios are stumped, what's the hope for the Indies?

This panel considers how we got here and the pathway out.

PANELISTS:

John Sloss is an entertainment lawyer, film producer, talent manager, sales agent, and founder of Cinetic Media, whose credits include The Velvet Underground, Green Book, Boyhood, I’m Not There, Before Sunset, and Far from Heaven, among others.

Eugene Hernandez is the Director of the Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming, co-founder of Indiewire, and former Director of the New York Film Festival.

Bob Berney is the CEO of Picturehouse, co-founded and operated FilmDistrict, Apparition, Newmarket Films, and IFC Films.

Moderated by Wendy Ettinger

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Woodstock Film Festival 2023 Panel: Actors Who Direct with Steve Buscemi and Matthew Modine

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0400

More and more actors choose to also work behind the camera as directors, and/or producers of narrative films, television series, and experimental shorts, along with other genres and formats. Hear what compels them to work behind the camera, and how different those experiences are.

SPEAKERS:
Steve Buscemi - Steve Buscemi is an actor, writer, director and producer. He starred in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, which garnered him a Golden Globe® Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy® nominations. His directing work includes the films Trees Lounge and Interview, and TV series including The Sopranos, which earned him Emmy® and DGA Award nominations, 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie, Portlandia, and Love. He currently co-stars opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the TBS anthology series Miracle Workers.

Matthew Modine- Matthew Modine’s iconic portrayals in films such as Alan Parker’s Birdy, Louden Swain in Vision Quest, Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, and Dr. Martin “Papa” Brenner in the global phenomenon Stranger Things have cemented Matthew’s legacy in the entertainment industry. Recent star turns include Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and Retribution opposite Liam Neeson.

MODERATOR:
Mary Stuart Masterson - Mary Stuart Masterson’s 4-decade film, TV, and theater career includes roles in AT CLOSE RANGE, SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL, IMMEDIATE FAMILY (National Board of Review Award), FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, BENNY AND JOON as well as the Broadway musical NINE (Tony Award nomination). Her recent film credits include DANIEL ISN'T, THE SENIOR, and BORROWED TIME.

Woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

Woodstock Film Festival 2023 Panel: A Conversation with Sheila Nevins and Barbara Kopple

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0400

In the first of our 2023 Woodstock Film Festival panel series, multiple Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody awards winner and a legend in her field, Sheila Nevins chats with two-time Academy Awards® winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple who leads the conversation. The two talk about their legendary careers, the state of documentary filmmaking now, and their present and future film projects. Nevins is credited for producing over 1,000 (!) documentary films for HBO and MTV Documentary Films, and with decades as the top leader in the documentary filmmaking space, Nevins is still going strong!

Barbara Kopple – Two time Academy Award® winner (Harlan County U.S.A., American Dream) + 40+ films including Shut Up & Sing, Gumbo Coalition, Miss Sharon Jones

Sheila Nevins - Multiple Oscar, Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer and executive producer with hundreds of wins and nominations (America Undercover, Last Flight Home, Citizen Four, 76 Days)

Woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

Thomas Sadoski | SAG on Strike | the Importance of Activism & the Responsibility of the Artist

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0400

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #10

In this episode, we chat with actor and producer Thomas Sadoski about SAG strikes, independent films, and his work with non-profit organization War Child USA. A 20+ year veteran of the theatre, Tom most recently starred in the award-winning and critically acclaimed revival of Alice Childress’ WEDDING BAND at Theatre For a New Audience and Suzan Lori-Parks’ WHITE NOISE at The Public. His Broadway credits include OTHER DESERT CITIES, REASONS TO BE PRETTY, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and RECKLESS. His off-Broadway credits include THIS IS OUR YOUTH, BECKY SHAW, WHERE WE’RE BORN, THE WAY WE GET BY and over 20 others. On the big screen, he most recently starred in the epic film “Devotion”, the story of Jesse Brown the first Black naval aviator, and stars across from Patricia Clarkson in “Lilly”, the story of equal rights pioneer Lilly Ledbetter. On television he is best known for his work as Don Keefer in the Aaron Sorkin HBO series “The Newsroom” and in the CBS comedy “Life in Pieces”. He recently was seen on the Apple series “The Crowded Room” alongside Amanda Seyfried and Tom Holland. He is the Founding Ambassador of the renowned charity War Child USA, a member of the advisory council for the human rights organization Fortify Rights, a board member emeritus of Refugees International, and is a member of the board of directors for INARA which provides life-saving and life-changing medical care to children who are wounded as a result of war.

Tom Sadoski will play Jon Goldfarb in upcoming indie film LILLY about equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter. Tom has been an Ambassador for War Child USA since 2018 to ensure women and children from nations of conflict can receive the safety, education, and opportunities needed to provide for themselves again.

Thomas Sadoski

War Child USA

Topics Discussed:

Lilly Ledbetter
SAG-AFTRA Strikes
Independent films and how they break barriers and inspire humanity
War Child USA

Tsanavi Spoonhunter & Alex Smith | Indigenous Stories in Films

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0400

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #9

In this episode, we chat with filmmakers Alex Smith and Tsanavi Spoonhunter about this year's Woodstock Film Festival’s Filmmaker Residency and Tsanavi’s upcoming documentary feature HOLDER OF THE SKY. Alex is a filmmaker and educator and currently serves as the Creative Director for Woodstock’s Filmmaker Residency where he helped mentor Tsanavi this past year. He and his twin brother have written and directed three feature films: WALKING OUT (2017), WINTER IN THE BLOOD (2013), and THE SLAUGHTER RULE (2002). Tsanavi Spoonhunter is a Northern Arapaho and Northern Paiute nonfiction film director, producer, and writer based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Spoonhunter is a 2022-2024 Firelight Media Documentary Lab fellow and Woodstock Film Festival resident where she collaborated with other filmmakers and mentors to develop her upcoming project.

Alex Smith:

http://www.ranchwaterfilms.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ranchwaterfilms/

https://www.instagram.com/walkingoutfilm/

Tsanavi Spoonhunter:

https://tsanavi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tsanavi/

https://www.holderoftheskyfilm.com/

Topics Discussed:

-2023 Woodstock Film Festival Filmmaker Residency
-Tsanavi’s upcoming project HOLDER OF THE SKY
-Relationship with nature in filmmaking
-Importance of collaboration in indigenous filmmaking
- Upcoming Residency showcase at WFF 2023

Rick Rowley | War Journalism & Taking Risks in Order to Bring Dark Truths to Light

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #8

This episode features Rick Rowley, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist. He is best known for his films DIRTY WARS (2013), DOCUMENTING HATE (2018), and 16 SHOTS (2019). Rowley recently received a Peabody Award for FRONTLINE: Micheal Flynn's Holy War. Rowley’s films highlight his willingness to take risks in order to bring dark truths to light. Rowley has been a jury member and is a long-time friend of the festival.

Rick Rowley:
Instagram
Peabody Award Acceptance Speech for FRONTLINE: Micheal Flynn's Holy War

Topics discussed:
- The Role of Wikileaks during the Iraq War
- ITHAKA - a documentary film about the fight to free Julian Assange
- Risk-taking as a journalist
- War crimes unpunished, compartmentalizing terror
- The evolution of documentary filmmaking
- Frontline Series: Micheal Flynn's Holy War
- The continuation of reporting on the war machine

Chris Hegedus and Lindsay Keys | Lyme Disease & the film THE QUIET EPIDEMIC

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #7

In this episode, the filmmakers discuss their documentary film THE QUIET EPIDEMIC's rallying cry for proper research on Lyme disease. We also highlight Keys’ experience with Lyme and the film's impact at festivals. The film was featured at the Woodstock Film Festival in September 2022.

Aside from being the director, producer, and cinematographer of her film feature film, Lindsay Keys is an accomplished photographer with a versatile range of clientele. Chris Hegedus is an experienced documentary filmmaker. Along with THE QUIET EPIDEMIC, some of her work includes Oscar-nominated THE WAR ROOM (1993) and Emmy-award-winning ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY (2002).

See THE QUIET EPIDEMIC:
Twitter
Instagram

Lindsay Keys:
Instagram

Topics discussed:

Bringing THE QUIET EPIDEMIC to the Woodstock Film Festival
Hegedus’ relationship with the Woodstock Film Festival
The pervasiveness of Lyme’s disease through the lens of film festivals
Synopsis of THE QUIET EPIDEMIC
The perception issue
The impact of THE QUIET EPIDEMIC

Meira Blaustein | Why You Should Submit to the Woodstock Film Festival

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #1

Meira Blaustein is the Co-Founder / Executive Director / Programmer of the Woodstock Film Festival. The Festival was launched in 2000 and has quickly become one of the most respected and influential regional film festivals in the US. Blaustein has been running it ever since.

Submit your film to the Woodstock Film Festival on FilmFreeway

Connect with WFF on Linktree

James Schamus | Writers’ Strikes Throughout History | Possible Outcomes & Solidarity

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

LET’S TALK FILM! EPISODE #6

James Schamus serves on the negotiating committee of the Writers Guild of America, whose members are currently on strike. He talks about fake unions created by Hollywood, the history of the Writers' Strikes, provides insight into industry practices that prevent career stability for working writers + much more!

James Schamus is an award-winning screenwriter (The Ice Storm), producer (Brokeback Mountain), director (Indignation), showrunner (Somos.), and former CEO of Focus Features. James is also the Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, where he teaches film history and theory.

James Schamus:
Twitter
WGA Website

Topics discussed:
-Trailblazer Award
-History of Writers Guild Strikes
-2007-’08 Writers Strike
-New Media and the Impact of Strikes
-Current Strike’s Incentives
-Career Instability in Entertainment
-Possible Outcomes & Solidarity
-Globalization

Jack Youngelson and Sian Edwards-Beal | Healing from PTSD + the New Documentary HERE. IS. BETTER.

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #5

In this episode, Edwards-Beal and Youngelson talk about their recent film HERE. IS. BETTER. (2023) regarding cinematography, the special music created for the film, healing from PTSD, and working with veterans.

Jack Youngelson is a highly accomplished documentary filmmaker and writer. Sian Edwards-Beal is “an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and director who has created and delivered a comprehensive range of film, television, and web content for networks including HBO, the BBC, National Geographic, and Channel 4.”

Info and links:

Watch HERE. IS. BETTER:
Website
Twitter
Instagram

Jack Youngelson:
Twitter
Instagram

Sian Edwards-Beal:
Twitter
Instagram

Topics discussed:

World premiere experience at Woodstock Film Festival
Process of creating the film
More on PTSD Treatments
Military and wider response
Learning veteran's stories
About the team of filmmakers, the soundtrack and cinematography

Harris Doran | Awarding-winning Film KOKOMO CITY + Film Festivals

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #4

Harris Doran is an award-winning independent film writer, actor, director, and producer. Some of his work includes BEAUTY MARK (2018), which won Best Ultra Indie Film Award at the Woodstock Film Festival, and the new award-winning film KOKOMO CITY (2023). He shares his experiences at festivals and how they have impacted his filmmaking career + more!

Topics discussed:

Doran’s directorial debut
Doran as a producer
Doran and Film Festivals
The importance of film festivals
Learning from film festivals as a producer
Doran as an actor
Kokomo City

Adam Shartoff | Why Indie Filmmakers Love to Show their Films in Woodstock

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #3

Adam Shartoff, founder of Filmwax Radio, musician, and armchair film historian, talks about the spirit of independence, the importance of deep cuts, and providing a platform for lesser-known artists, whether through film, music, or any creative medium.

Filmwax Radio Podcast:
Website
Instagram

Topics discussed:

Shartoff’s history with the Woodstock Film Festival
Why people should come to the Woodstock Film Festival
Favorite festival memories
Filmwax highlights
Film favorites

Nancy Buirski | The Legend of Midnight Cowboy

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:00:00 -0400

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #2

Nancy Buirski, founder of Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, talks about her latest film, DESPERATE SOULS, DARK CITY, AND THE LEGEND OF MIDNIGHT COWBOY. We also get into her work as Director/Producer/Writer OF THE LOVING STORY (2011), the definitive account of Loving v. Virginia, the landmark 1967 Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage, and Producer of the narrative film LOVING (2015) inspired by THE LOVING STORY.

Nancy Buirski:
Website
Instagram

Topics discussed:

Importance of film festivals
The inspiration behind the film
Choice of cinematography in the documentary
X Rating of Midnight Cowboy
Filmmaker statements
Director, producer, writer
How an idea becomes a documentary
THE LOVING STORY
Documentary film distribution
Where to watch Buirski’s films
Narratives vs documentaries
The importance of independent voices