Jesse Eisenberg\u2019s \u201cThe Debut,\u201d Peter Farrelly\u2019s \u201cI Play Rocky,\u201d and Jordan Firstman\u2019s \u201cClub Kid\u201d are just a few of the awards-season players screening at the 27th Woodstock Film Festival this fall.<\/p>\n
The festival, now a key stop on the Oscar circuit, will present a wide-ranging selection of 37 feature narratives and 26 feature documentaries, including nine world premieres. The screenings will take place Oct. 14 to Oct. 18 at Hudson Valley venues across Woodstock, Rosendale, Kingston, and Saugerties.<\/p>\n
Other major films that will be showcased over the five days include Tim Blake Nelson\u2019s \u201cThe Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,\u201d Russell Goldman\u2019s \u201cSender,\u201d Catherine Hardwicke\u2019s \u201cStreet Smart,\u201d Katie Aselton\u2019s \u201cTheir Town,\u201d Guy Nattiv\u2019s \u201cThe Liberation,\u201d Noah Segan\u2019s \u201cThe Only Living Pickpocket in New York,\u201d James Gray\u2019s \u201cPaper Tiger,\u201d Si\u00e2n Heder\u2019s \u201cBeing Heumann,\u201d and Lee Chang-dong\u2019s \u201cPossible Love.\u201d <\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSome notable documentaries that will be playing at the festival include \u201cMusk,\u201d Alex Gibney\u2019s sprawling takedown of the tech mogul; \u201cAvedon,\u201d Ron Howard\u2019s look at the legendary photographer; and \u201cOnce Upon A Time in Harlem,\u201d William Greaves and David Greaves\u2019s story about a gathering of the surviving members of the Harlem Renaissance, to name a few. The program will also include the East Coast premiere of the TV pilot for the new independent series \u201cWoodstockers,\u201d starring Corbin Bernsen, Stephen Tobolowsky, Maggie Lawson, Oliver Bernsen, Zoe Rosenberg, and Henry Bernsen, followed by a moderated conversation.<\/p>\n
World premieres include Onur Tukel\u2019s \u201cA Company of Thieves\u201d and Suzi Yoonessi\u2019s \u201cMother Wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we enter the 27th Woodstock Film Festival, this year feels especially meaningful to me,\u201d said Meira Blaustein, who co-founded the festival and is stepping down as its executive director. \u201cFor nearly three decades, this festival has been about creating a home for independent filmmakers, bringing audiences together and championing stories that challenge, inspire and connect us. I\u2019m incredibly proud of the program we\u2019re presenting this year and of the community that has grown around the festival. As I prepare to pass the torch, I\u2019m excited to celebrate this remarkable group of artists and everything that has made the Woodstock Film Festival so special from the very beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
NARRATIVE FEATURES:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u25cf \u201cA Company of Thieves,\u201d by Onur Tukel, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE DOCUMENTARY FEATURES:<\/strong> EPISODIC PROGRAM:<\/strong> PANELS<\/strong> Masterclass with Catherine Hardwicke: Fix It in Prep<\/strong> \u2013 Acclaimed filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke (director of \u201cThirteen,\u201d \u201cLords of Dogtown,\u201d and the blockbuster \u201cTwilight\u201d) takes audiences inside her creative process, sharing how storyboards, shot lists, rehearsals, and collaboration with key department heads help establish the visual language of a film before the cameras roll.<\/p>\n Films Not Made: Live Podcast with Amy Hobby & Avi Zev Weider<\/strong> \u2013 Featuring Mark Duplass & Katie Aselton \u2013 Award-winning filmmakers, actors, and longtime collaborators Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton join Amy Hobby and Films Not Made co-creator and co-host Avi Zev Weider for a live conversation. The podcast lets filmmakers, writers, directors, and producers tell the stories of the movies they were dying to make and the very real reasons they never happened.<\/p>\n Democracy in Documentary<\/strong> \u2013 As corporate news consolidation accelerates and independent journalism faces growing challenges, Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman leads a panel of leading voices in documentary filmmaking: Steven Maing (\u201cThe Great Experiment\u201d), Maite Alberdi (A Child of My Own), Raney Aronsom-Rath (One in a Million), Pamela Yates (Borderland: The Line Within), and Carl Deal (Steal This Story, Please!). The group will discuss documentary film\u2019s role in informing the public, fostering civic engagement, and protecting democracy.<\/p>\n New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) \u2013 Breaking the Frame \u2013 How Far Have Women in Film Really Come?<\/strong> \u2013 Sharing personal experiences and industry insights, NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez and iconic creatives, including Rosanna Arquette (\u201cDesperately Seeking Susan\u201d) and more to be announced, will explore the changing landscape for women in film, the conversations that can help move the industry forward, and how the next generation can continue creating new possibilities for women in the industry.<\/p>\n WFF \u201cIn Conversation\u201d Series<\/strong> \u2013 Conversations give audiences an intimate and personal look into the artistry of some of our most beloved creatives as industry professionals sit down for an intimate and candid discussion. This year\u2019s conversation participants include actor and director Tony Goldwyn (\u201cEzra\u201d), actor and director Griffin Dunne (\u201cPractical Magic\u201d), and actor Britt Lower (\u201cSeverance,\u201d attending WFF with \u201cSender\u201d).<\/p>\n SPECIAL EVENTS<\/strong> \u201cAmerican Zoo\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 The Festival kicks off Tuesday, Oct. 13 with a screening of \u201cAmerican Zoo\u201d and Q&A featuring director Tim Travers Hawkins and special guests, moderated by The Overlook News founding editor-in-chief Noah Eckstein. Newly uncovered home movies and archival materials reveal a complex hidden history of the Catskill Game Farm, including founder Roland Lindemann\u2019s hiring of German zoologist Dr. Heinz Heck, whose arrival would connect the Game Farm to a disturbing zoological legacy.<\/p>\n \u201cFork in the Road\u201d Reception + Screening <\/strong>\u2013 White Feather Farm hosts a reception and screening of \u201cFork in the Road,\u201d a documentary featuring Nick Offerman as he joins America\u2019s small farmers fighting industrial agriculture and working to rebuild our food system, health, and future. The evening begins with a \u201cFeast of Plant Friends\u201d cocktail reception, followed by the screening and a conversation about building just and community-centered food systems.<\/p>\n \u201cGrilling Bill Plympton\u201d \u2013 <\/strong>Celebrate legendary independent animator Bill Plympton\u2019s milestone 80th birthday as fellow independent filmmaker, artist, writer, and animator Signe Baumane playfully \u201cgrills\u201d the two-time Academy Award\u00ae nominee about his prolific career, creative process and the stories behind his work. The animated short film retrospective will feature \u201cYour Face,\u201d \u201cHomer\u2019s Face,\u201d \u201cGuard Dog,\u201d \u201cMexican Standoff,\u201d \u201cNose Hair,\u201d \u201cDuckville,\u201d \u201cThe Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger,\u201d \u201cSanta: The Fascist Years,\u201d and \u201cWhale 52,\u201d along with Plympton\u2019s new animated music video for Average Friends\u2019 \u201cu know i luv u.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWoodstockers\u201d TV Pilot + Talk-Back: The Rise of Indie TV <\/strong>\u2013 Following the screening of the pilot for the new independent series \u201cWoodstockers,\u201d join Corbin Bernsen, Stephen Tobolowsky, Maggie Lawson, Oliver Bernsen, Zoe Rosenberg and Henry Bernsen for a lively conversation about making the series in the Hudson Valley and the rise of independently produced television. The discussion will explore the creative freedom of indie TV, new approaches to production and distribution, and the evolving relationship between creators and audiences.<\/p>\n \u201cLunatic Dreamers\u201d World Premiere Screening + Live Music Performance \u2013<\/strong> The WFF screens the world premiere of the documentary \u201cLunatic Dreamers.\u201d The film, an intimate portrait of Palenville-born The Felice Brothers, \u201cyour favorite band\u2019s favorite band,\u201d celebrates the music, creative journey, and Catskills roots of Ian Felice, James Felice, Jesske Hume, and Will Lawrence. Following the screening, The Felice Brothers will take the stage for a live performance, bringing the film and their music together for a one-of-a-kind evening.<\/p>\n Fiercely Independent Band Live Music Performance \u2013<\/strong> The \u201cFiercely Independent Band\u201d is made up of longtime WFF friends Brian Devine, John Mazlish, and Larry Fessenden (coming to the festival with \u201cTrauma Or, Monsters All)\u201d. The classic rock band will perform at the historic Colony during an electric night of music featuring additional bands and special guests.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Feat: The Documentary\u201d Screening + Live Music Performance \u2013 <\/strong>The film, narrated by Jeff Bridges, shares the untold story of one of America\u2019s most influential and underappreciated bands, featuring never-before-seen footage and stories from music legends. Little Feat band members Tony Leone and Scott Sharrard join WFF for a live music performance and a Q&A, alongside director Jesse Lauter.<\/p>\n
\u25cf \u201cAll of a Sudden,\u201d by Ry\u00fbsuke Hamaguchi, France\/Japan\/Germany\/Belgium, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cBehemoth!,\u201d by Tony Gilroy, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cBeing Heumann,\u201d by Si\u00e2n Heder, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cBlow the Horn,\u201d by Nacho Arenas, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cBolio,\u201d by Jim Issa, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cClub Kid, \u201cwritten and directed by Jordan Firstman, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cDanny Is My Boyfriend,\u201d by Lucy Sandler and Mechi Lakatos, United States, 2025 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cFatherland,\u201d by Pawe\u0142 Pawlikowski, Poland\/France\/Germany\/Italy, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cHomunculus,\u201d by Owen Kibby, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cI Play Rocky,\u201d by Peter Farrelly, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cInk,\u201d by Danny Boyle, United Kingdom, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cJosephine,\u201d by Beth De Ara\u00fajo, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cMinotaur,\u201d by Andrey Zvyagintsev, France\/Germany\/Latvia, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cMother Wolf,\u201d by Suzi Yoonessi, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cMouse,\u201d by Kelly O\u2019Sullivan and Alex Thompson, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cOn the Line,\u201d by John Murlowski, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cPaper Tiger,\u201d by James Gray, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cPossible Love,\u201d by Lee Chang-dong, South Korea, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cRain Reign,\u201d by Erika Burke Rossa, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cSender,\u201d by Russell Goldman, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cStreet Smart,\u201d by Catherine Hardwicke, United States, 2026 \u2013 East Coast Premiere
\u25cf \u201cTangles,\u201d by Leah Nelson, United States\/Canada, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cTender Loving Care,\u201d by Mike Leigh, United Kingdom, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cTest,\u201d by Sam McConnell, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Debut,\u201d written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Liberation,\u201d by Guy Nattiv, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,\u201d by Tim Blake Nelson, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Man I Love,\u201d by Ira Sachs, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Only Living Pickpocket in New York,\u201d by Noah Segan, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Plea,\u201d by Zach LeBeau and Dean Imperial, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Projectionist,\u201d by Alexandre Rockwell, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cTheir Town,\u201d by Katie Aselton, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cTrauma or, Monsters All,\u201d by Larry Fessenden, United States, 2026 \u2013 East Coast Premiere
\u25cf \u201cWashed Up,\u201d by Isabel Moncloa Daly, United Kingdom, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cWicker,\u201d by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Fischer, United States\/United Kingdom\/Australia, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cWild Horse Nine,\u201d by Martin McDonagh, United Kingdom\/United States\/Chile, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere<\/p>\n
\u25cf \u201cAmazing Live Sea Monkeys,\u201d by Mark Becker and Aaron Schock, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cAmerican Zoo,\u201d by Tim Travers Hawkins, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cAvedon,\u201d by Ron Howard, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cEverest: The Other Side,\u201d Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, United States, China, Nepal, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cFork in the Road,\u201d by Jonathan Nastasi and Vivian Sorenson, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cGive Me the Ball!,\u201d by Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cIn Hines Sight,\u201d by Jared Whipple and Josh Therriault, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cLittle Feat: The Documentary,\u201d by Jesse Lauter, United States, 2026 \u2013 East Coast Premiere
\u25cf \u201cLunatic Dreamers,\u201d by Tiller Russell, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cMore Than Medicine: The Rise of Psychedelic Therapy,\u201d by Kerthy Fix and Paul Kloss, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cMusk,\u201d by Alex Gibney, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cNoga,\u201d by Jono Bergmann and Benji Bergmann, Austria 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cNuisance Bear,\u201d by Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman, United States\/Canada\/United Kingdom, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cOnce Upon a Time in Harlem,\u201d by William Greaves and David Greaves, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cOne in a Million,\u201d by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes, United Kingdom, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cOur Dark Horse,\u201d by Grace Barry, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cRe\/Pair,\u201d by Lacey Schwartz Delgado, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cRehearsals for a Revolution,\u201d by Pegah Ahangarani, Czech Republic\/Spain, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cRescue,\u201d by Sine Plambech, Denmark\/Italy\/Germany\/Sweden\/Iceland, 2026 \u2013 US Premiere
\u25cf \u201cSchool for Defectors,\u201d by Jeremy Workman, South Korea, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cSeized,\u201d by Sharon Liese, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cSydney Cash Makes Too Much Art,\u201d by Ivan Cash, United States, 2026 \u2013 WORLD PREMIERE
\u25cf \u201cThe Brittney Griner Story,\u201d by Alexandria Stapleton, United States, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Great Experiment,\u201d by Stephen Maing and Eric Daniel Metzgar, United States\/Mexico, 2026 \u2013 Hudson Valley Premiere
\u25cf \u201cThe Natural State,\u201d by Matthew Dougherty, United States, 2026 \u2013 East Coast Premiere
\u25cf \u201cTo Hold a Mountain,\u201d by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazi\u0107, Serbia\/France\/Montenegro\/Slovenia\/Croatia, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere
\u25cf \u201cUnion Town,\u201d by Barbara Kopple, United States, 2026 \u2013 New York Premiere<\/p>\n
\u25cf \u201cWoodstockers,\u201d by Oliver Bernsen, United States, 2025 \u2013 East Coast Premiere<\/p>\n
A hallmark of the Woodstock Film Festival is its commitment to conversation and the exchange of ideas. Each year, WFF\u2019s panels bring together acclaimed filmmakers, artists, industry leaders, and cultural voices for candid, thought-provoking discussions about the craft and ever-changing business of storytelling. <\/p>\n
The special events at WFF invite the audience closer to view the art and craft of filmmaking of both long-form and episodic formats in a unique way. Experience cinema deeply and joyfully through noteworthy programming, including live music by renowned musicians, and in-depth conversations with world-class artists.<\/p>\n