WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL FOCUS ON MUSIC PROGRAM

11TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION SPOTLIGHTS ICONIC MUSICIANS, MUSIC FOR CHANGE AND 'FIERCELY INDEPENDENT'
BANDS UNDER THE MAINSTREAM RADAR

PERFORMANCES THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY NIGHTS

(Woodstock, NY)  SEPT. 8, 2010: Five world premieres, the exceptional BMI Music Panel, and an unprecedented, five live musical performances, will be presented at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival, Wednesday, Sept. 29 through Sunday Oct. 3, 2010. WFF's Focus on Music programming proudly highlights both emerging, independent musicians and musical greats of the past who embody the universal musical spirit of Woodstock.

FOCUS ON MUSIC Includes screenings, live performances, iconic musicians, music as political dissent, music videos, and exciting, independent, live music performances, along with the annual BMI Music panel, this year focused on Music for Change.

FILMS

-ARIAS WITH A TWIST: THE DOCUFANTASY - Directed by Bobby Sheehan. When outrageously original, gender-bending entertainer Joey Arias meets Basil Twist, a third generation boundary-breaking master puppeteer, the result can only be surrealistic, hallucinogenic extravaganzas, while the two perform cabaret chock full of fetishes, space aliens, B-movies and Aria's pitch-perfect channeling of Billie Holiday. Traces the history of the 70's - 80's collaborative downtown NYC art scene, with rare archival footage. Director Sheehan will participate in a Q&A after the screening. SEE TRAILER

-DON'T GO IN THE WOODS - Directed by Vincent D'Onofrio. Described as Glee meets The Blair Witch Project, this 'slasher/musical' follows an indie rock band seeking a creative jam session in the woods, but people keep disappearing! Complete with solid rock soundtrack by singer/songwriter Sam Bisbee, this offbeat horror film explores the lengths that people will go in order to make their dreams come true. Marks the directoral debut of actor D'Onofrio (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Full Metal Jacket, Men In Black), who will be present at the Q & A along with Bisbee. SEE TRAILER
* MUSIC PERFORMANCE by Don't Go in The Woods Band, Friday, Oct. 1st, following the screening and Q & A at The Emerson Resort and Spa.

-DON'T QUIT YOUR DAYDREAM (East Coast Premiere) - Directed by Clark Stiles and Merritt Lear. Produced by Adrian Grenier (Reckless Productions) John Loar (JLoar Productions). Follow The Good Listeners as they embark on a last ditch, cross country, album-recording extravaganza to save their musical identity and hopefully their careers.. They collaborate with mostly local, unknown and eclectic talent across the USA, to create a diverse new album, featuring an amazing compilation of talented musicians and songs. Haunted by a shrinking window of opportunity, Nathan and Clark find their collaborators facing the same problem: balancing their love of music with harsh realities. Don't Quit Your Daydream smartly explores the true nature of success. Adrian Grenier (Entourage, Love in the Time of Money, The Devil Wears Prada) returns to WFF as a producer of the film as well as a performer. SEE TRAILER
* MUSIC PERFORMANCE by The Good Listeners with Adrian Grenier at the Bearsville Theater, Thursday night, Sept. 30, following the screening of the film at 8:15pm.

-IN THE WAKE OF THE FLOOD (U.S Premiere) - Directed by Ron Mann. The director who brought you Grass, Go Further, Tales of Rat Fink, and Know Your Mushrooms (featuring a soundtrack by The Flaming Lips) returnes to Woodstock with the U.S premiere of In the Wake of the Flood. On the eve of her 70th birthday, Canadian writer Margaret Atwood set out on an international tour crisscrossing the British Isles and North America to celebrate the publication of her new dystopian novel, The Year of the Flood. Rather than mount a traditional tour to promote a book’s publication, Atwood conceived and executed something far more ambitious and revelatory—a theatrical/musical version of her novel. SEE TRAILER

-LENNON NYC (Special Screening) - Directed by Michael Epstein. In 1971, John Lennon arrived in New York City and felt reborn: at last living in the country that had dominated his artistic imagination, Lennon and his new bride, Yoko Ono, found in the city the perfect blend of music, politics, culture, and lifestyle. Using remarkable, rarely seen footage and interviews with many who were close to John, filmmaker Epstein has created a moving, revealing portrait of the music legend's New York years, detailing not only his triumphs but also some hard times over which he so beautifully recovered in the final years of his tragically curtailed life. Director Michael Epstein will be in attendance for the Q&A. 7pm, Wednesday, Sept. 29, Bearsville Theater. Courtesy of Arthouse Films.

-PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE (World Premiere) - Directed by Kenneth Bowser. Music bio-documentary delves deep into the life of musical icon Phil Ochs. Civil rights. Freedom of Speech. The Vietnam War. Watergate. He wrote a song about them all, in large part creating the musical protest culture of the 60's and 70's. Through interviews with family and many well-known musicians who considered themselves fans of Phil Ochs, comes a vivid and compelling portrait of a controversial musical figure whose protest marked a generation. Director Kenneth Bowser will be in attendance for the Q & A, along with Michael Ochs, Phil's brother. SEE TRAILER

-RAY CHARLES AMERICA (World Premiere) - Directed by Alexis Manya Spraic. Few American icons resonate on as many levels as Ray Charles. He was not only one of the greatest artists in American history, but had one of the greatest stories. Few came from less -- dirt poor, blind and, ultimately, orphaned -- to achieve more. This absorbing doc examines the social and political context of Charles' work, and how his unique approach to music, and his ability to transcend racial barriers changed the cultural landscape as we know it. Containing unreleased music, and never before seen footage, this doc chronicles Charles' impact in broader stories of love, politics, art and business. Director Spraic will participate in a Q&A after the screening.

-ROCKSTEADY (World Premiere) - Directed by Mustapha Khan. Set against the backdrop of a dirt-track racecourse, and to the sound of a thumping reggae score, by the Grammy Award-winning Reggae sensation Steel Pulse, Rocksteady is a heart-warming and highly enjoyable coming of age story. Director Khan will participate in a Q&A after the screening. SEE TRAILER

-SOUNDS LIKE A REVOLUTION (U.S. Premiere) - Directed by Summer Love and Jane Michener. This powerful doc presents a unique historical perspective behind the new wave of protest music sweeping America and offers new hope for the future. Featuring interviews with David Crosby, Pete Seeger, Ani Difranco, Justin Sane, and Henry Rollins, the film focuses on the music and work of today's politically-minded musicians, including Michael Franti, the Dixie Chicks and Paris, who, despite the daunting obstacles placed in their way, continue to motivate and inspire America's youth for a positive revolutionary change while facing a corporate music world intent on silencing them. Directors Love and Michener will participate in a Q&A after the screening. SEE TRAILER
* MUSIC PERFORMANCE by Justin Sane, lead singer of Anti-Flag will add his political punk rock sound to Woodstock's long history of political music at The Bearsville Theater, 10pm Friday, Oct. 1, following the screening.

-TENDER MERCIES (Tribute screening) Considered by many film critics as one of the seminal films about life as a musican, Bruce Beresford's film features Robert Duvall's Oscar® winning performance as a once-popular country-western singer and now exhausted alcoholic who collapses in a small, drab motel in the Texas Bible Belt. He finds peace with Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), a Vietnam War widow and mother, who agrees to let him work off his debt provided he does not drink on the job. With an Oscar-winning screenplay by Horton Foote, this film is powerfully nuanced masterpiece of resurrection and redemption. The cast also includes Betty Buckley and Ellen Barkin. Richard Corliss of "Time" declared it the "best American movie of the new year. The film will be preceded by a conversation with director Bruce Beresford. SEE TRAILER

SHORTS FEATURING FOCUS ON MUSIC
-5 VARIATIONS ON A LONG STRING - Directed by Peter Esmonde. Over the past quarter century, composer/performer Ellen Fullman has developed and perfected her extraordinary 'long string instrument.' More than fifty feet long, the instrument envelops its audience in dense masses of sound. Recorded in multichannel surround sound, this short film is an intense musical exploration of Ellen Fullman's creative process and her mind-blowing sound world.

-BORN SWEET - Cynthia Wade's short documentary follows fifteen year old Vinh Voeurn who has accepted his destiny to be sick for the rest of life with incurable arsenic poisoning. What keeps him vibrant and full of life is his fantasizing about becoming a karaoke star and winning the affections of adoring fans.

-GOLEM - This animated films was created as a music video for The Maladies by animators Joy Vaccese, Noelle Vaccese and James Buran. Golem's Asylum is a place where idealistic dreams of musical success are twisted and distorted into prepackaged fodder for ranks of zombified fans.

-MOBILISATION (US Premiere)-  Part of WFF's political and international programming, this Haitian hip-hop music video offers an uplifting perspective of relief after the earthquake. Made by students from the Haitian Film Institute Cine program, this dynamic short is a part of the WFF 2010's unprecedented Haitian Short Film program.

-NEDA'S EYES (World Premiere/World Cinema) - Directed by Planet Pictures. Last year the world's attention was captured by the tragic killing of Neda Agha-Soltan, an iconic, young martyr of the Iranian election protests. A non-violent protester shot by the Iranian government on June 20th, 200, her face became an icon for the world peace movement. This short film beautifully depicts her sacrifice and the struggle of non-violent protest in Iran. This short screens before Sounds Like a Revolution.
* MUSIC PERFORMANCE by Sussan Deyhim, a composer, vocalist, and performance artist who combines her voice with technical wizardry in order to create a unique sonic and vocal language that summons rituals, and a sense of the unknown. Deyhim's wide-ranging collaborations have included Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, and Jerry Garcia. She has performed at the Lincoln Center Summer Festival, Carnegie Hall, The Old Vic, and other major venues. At the Colony Cafe, Friday, Oct 1, 10:00 pm.

-ROSCOE HOLCOMB: FROM DAISY KENTUCKY (Sneak Peak) - Directed by John Cohen. Cohen, a long-time member of the New Lost City Ramblers, explores the life, philosophy and music of extraordinary Eastern Kentucky banjo player, coal miner and construction worker Roscoe Holcomb, who, after being injured on the job and forced into early retirement, wasn't professionally recorded until well into his forties. However almost half a century later, Holcomb has gained legendary status, remembered as an important part of the bluegrass movement, and cited as inspiration by many country and bluegrass greats.
* MUSIC PERFORMANCE by John Cohen and the Dustbusters, performing music by Holcomb featured in this short doc, following the Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:15pm screening at the Woodstock Community Center.

-TARANTULA (World Premiere) - Directed by Barry Feinstein. A familiar Woodstock legend, Barry Feinstein is an internationally recognized world-class photographer (Bob Dylan), who shot this performance of the rick band Tarantula in 1968, possibly the first music video ever! Screens before Don't Quit Your Daydream. Director Barry Feinstein  and Tom Grasso, leader of Tarantula (who happens to live in the Woodstock area), will be in attendance for the Q & A.

-YESNO - Directed by Brian D Johnson. YESNO is a playful, poetic vision of the planet on the verge of a nervous breakdown featuring a pantheon of Canadian poets and musicians, including Leonard Cohen, Michael Ondaatje and Margaret Atwood.

NEW! WFF View on the Web Programming features several music videos including:
-ANYONE'S SONG  - This music video for the band Mammal of Paradise is co-directed by Michael Vincent and Robbie Barclay. Vincent is a co-conspirator with New York based Indie production company Glass Eye Pix. Barclay's music videos have appeared on MTV.

-RISING - This beautiful, hand-drawn video for Lhasa De Sela's "Rising." features the singer who was born in Big Indian, New York. Her Mexican father was a Spanish instructor. Her mother was a Lebanese-Jewish-American photographer and actress. Sadly, following a 21-month-long battle with breast cancer, Lhasa died, age 37, on the evening of January 1, 2010, at her home in Montreal.

-WE'LL BE ALRIGHT - This futuristic music video features rapper Theory and was made created local filmmaker Jarek Zabczynski. It is the first film produced on the Walkway Over the Hudson.

PANEL
-BMI PANEL: MUSIC FOR CHANGE (made possible by Broadcast Music, Inc.,): BMI has been involved with WFF programs since the festival's inception in 2001. The panel's veteran moderator, Doreen Ringer Ross, BMI's Vice-President of Film/ TV Relations, has consistently provided lively, fascinating and important discussion about the creative and aesthetic aspects of music in film, the composer/director relationship, and the unique concerns of music-oriented documentaries. This years's panel features John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful); Kenneth Bowser (Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune); Ron Mann (In the Wake of the Flood, Go Further); Summer Love (Sounds Like a Revolution); Justin Sane (Anti-Flag); Sussan Deyhim (Neda's Eyes) and BMI Composer Miriam Cutler (One Lucky Elephant).

PERFORMANCES

-CONCERT featuring Sussan Deyhim, a composer, vocalist, and performance artist who combines her voice with technical wizardry in order to create a unique sonic and vocal language that summons rituals, and a sense of the unknown. Deyhim's wide-ranging collaborations have included Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, and Jerry Garcia. She has performed at the Lincoln Center Summer Festival, Carnegie Hall, The Old Vic, and other major venues. At the Colony Cafe, Friday, Oct 1, 10:00 pm.

-MUSIC PERFORMANCE by John Cohen, Film director and Holcomb friend, John Cohen — an accomplished musician and member of the band “New Lost City Ramblers” — will be joined by the Dustbusters to perform some of Holcomb’s timeless music following the Saturday Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:15pm screening at the Woodstock Community Center.

--MUSIC PERFORMANCE by Don't Go in The Woods Band, Friday, Oct. 1st, following the screening and Q & A at The Emerson Resort and Spa.

-MUSIC PERFORMANCE by The Good Listeners with Adrian Grenier at the Bearsville Theater, Thursday night, Sept. 30, following the screening of the film at 8:15pm.

-MUSIC PERFORMANCE by Justin Sane, lead singer of Anti-Flag will add his political punk rock sound to Woodstock's long history of political music at The Bearsville Theater, 10pm Friday, Oct. 1, following the screening.

For detailed information on the full WFF2010 line-up, visit www.woodstockfilmfestival.com.

TICKETS FOR PERFORMANCES CAN BE ORDERED ON-LINE AT: http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2009/panels.php?cat=Concert

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE WOODSTOCK BOX OFFICE AND ON-LINE!
The Festival Box Office is located in the center of Woodstock, just off the Village Green, at 11-13 Rock City Rd. The WFF Box Office will be open Sept. 4 -26, Wednesday-Sunday from 12 noon-4pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday; on Sept. 27-Oct. 2, the box office will be open every day from 9am-7pm; on Oct. 3, from 9am-noon. Tickets are also available on-line: at http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2010/films_all.php

Get your tickets early! Shows tend to sell out quickly.
For more information contact the Box Office at (845) 810-0131.

About the Woodstock Film Festival:
The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501©(3) organization whose mission is to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film, music and art-related activities that promotes artists, culture, inspired learning, and diversity. WFF premieres exceptional films; hosts emerging and established filmmakers; presents A-list concerts, parties and panels, and creates stimulating, innovative year-round programming WFF's sister organization, The Hudson Valley Film Commission, promotes sustainable economic development by attracting and supporting film, video and media production throughout the region.

Created in 2000 by Meira Blaustein and Laurent Rejto, WFF is located in the Hudson Valley Catskills, surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, just two hours from NYC. The historic arts colony offers a relaxed, receptive atmosphere, which filmmakers consistently cite as perfect for the creative interaction necessary for a great film festival. WFF is a festival for and by filmmakers, and was born through a passion for cinema that could only be the brainchild of active filmmakers and dedicated supporters of 'fiercely independent' film.

Hailed by Indiewire as "A true American Maverick Among Fests," and one of the TOP 50 film festival in the world, the Woodstock Film Festival has been 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."

Contact Info:
P.O Box 1406, Woodstock, NY 12498 - (845) 679-4265
info@woodstockfilmfestival.com - www.woodstockfilmfestival.com