Woodstock, New York is a glorious place to visit in Fall. Having a world class film festival going on makes a visit even better. I live nearby, so it is easy to visit this village, rich in cultural history and full of natural wonder. The Woodstock Film Festival is happening October 11th-15th so put it on your calendar.
The 2017 Woodstock Film Festival will showcase 4 World Premieres, 5 North American Premieres, 1 US Premiere, 20 East Coast Premieres and 9 New York Premieres. The cool thing about this festival is how laid back it is with up and coming filmmakers, well known stars, directors and producers all joining together to celebrate the best of world cinema.
The festival's EXPOSURE programming focuses on films that explore and challenge social, political and environmental themes, such as the 2017 New York Premiere of Jamie Redford's "Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution." USG will surely be reviewing this film!
In the past I have been lucky to have reviewed some incredible, environmentally focused films screened at the Woodstock Film Festival. One of these films was Chasing Ice, featuring National Geographic explorer James Balog's quest to document the world's melting glaciers before they completely disappear.
"Cape Spin: An American Power Struggle" was one of my all-time festival faves. The filmmakers capture the surreal fight for and against Cape Wind, America's first proposed offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts.
In 2013, I caught the popular showing of "To Be Forever Wild" , an intoxicating film concerning the history of the Catskill Mountain Preserve. The director, David Becker, seemed to enjoy my article about the film for he quoted from it on the cover of the DVD.
This year I will not be able to attend the festival because of the the United States of Green launch trip to Virginia. I'll miss the creative vibe of the festival, but will surely be tapping into some powerful creative energy when we get to Virginia.
Copyright 2017 Paul E McGinniss.