“It was tiny and there was absolutely no money. I mean everything, everything was donated and everyone volunteered,” said Mira Blaustein, co-founder and executive director of the Woodstock Film Festival, reflecting on its 2000 debut. “It was held only in Woodstock and it was beautiful. It was magical but it was small.”
The following year, the festival faced a somber backdrop. “In 2001 it was held nine days after September 11. So that was a harrowing experience in its own right, but also magical and wonderful at the same time and very healing for everybody.”
From those modest beginnings, Woodstock grew quickly. By 2002, the festival earned its first spread in Variety, drew audiences from near and far, and started attracting some financial support. Today, it’s an Academy Award-qualifying festival in three categories and a must-stop for filmmakers seeking Oscar attention.
“While we are still catering, of course, to the independent filmmaking community, our baseline has not changed. We’re still seriously independent,” Blaustein said. “But we are also an important stop for filmmakers, for studios, for film distributors who are promoting their films to be nominated [for an Academy Award].”
This year’s lineup features heavyweights like Noah Baumbach, Richard Linklater, Chloe Zhao, and Gus Van Sant. Blaustein sees the mix of established and emerging talent as mutually beneficial.
“We have about 90 shorts, 90 short films in all categories, animation, documentary and narrative,” she said. “Having that balance between the ‘gas one’ and ‘the ones you haven’t heard of yet’… when you have the high visibility films and they get some attention, it helps to shed light on those that deserve the high visibility but don’t have it yet.”
Panels and live conversations remain a cornerstone of the festival. Highlights include intimate discussions with Mariska Hargitay, Brad Dourif, and a special session with legendary composer David Amram, who will celebrate his 95th birthday with a live performance.
The festival has also had a profound impact on filmmaking in the Hudson Valley. Blaustein paid tribute to the late Laurent Rejto, co-founder of the festival and Hudson Valley Film Commission. “His legacy is immeasurable,” she said. “We are actually launching a new award in his name… the ‘Laurent Rejto Made in the Hudson Valley Award,’ and we’ll present it for the first time at our awards ceremony Saturday.”
Looking ahead, Blaustein said, “I’m always hoping to be able to raise more money. People think we have a large budget, but actually we have a tiny budget. It takes a lot of creativity and hard work to do what we do. I all I want the festival to continue and become more… get better and better for those who work with us and for us to… see artists develop. It should be very inspiring. It should be enjoyable, but it should be very inspiring and educational and fun at the same time.”
The 26th Woodstock Film Festival runs through Oct. 19 across venues in Woodstock, Rosendale, Kingston, and Saugerties.
Image: “Blue Moon,” directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke (r) and Margaret Qualley, will close the Woodstock Film Festival. (Credit: Sabrina Lantos/Sony Pictures Classics)