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'Flash,' 'Pride,' 'Happy' to open film festival

By SAM THIELMAN

'Happy-Go-Lucky,' written and directed by Mike Leigh, centers on the life of a London schoolteacher.

Gotham police pic 'Pride and Glory' will have its domestic bow at the Woodstock Film Festival.

The Woodstock Film Festival has tapped Greg Kinnear drama “Flash of Genius,” Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky” and the domestic preem of Edward Norton-Colin Farrell starrer “Pride and Glory” to open the fest. Event will close with Kevin Smith’s new comedy “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” starring Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen.

Fest’s centerpiece selections come from less well-known corners: “Old Joy” helmer Kelly Reichardt’s new Michelle Williams starrer “Wendy and Lucy” and Abdel Kechiche’s “The Secret of the Grain,” a multi-award winner at Venice, including that fest’s special jury prize. Latter pic follows an unemployed Tunisian man’s quest to open a restaurant despite bureaucracy and family troubles.

Woodstock will offer 10 world premieres, including music docu “Sunshine Superman” (an Oct. 4 concert will feature the subject of the film, Donovan). Also bowing for the first time at Woodstock: “Gospel Hill,” a drama with an ensemble cast including Julia Stiles, Danny Glover and Samuel L. Jackson.

The fest will fete “Zack and Miri” helmer Smith with its Honorary Maverick Award, along with Focus Features’ James Schamus, who is receiving the Honorary Trailblazer award as previously announced.

“I don't know about the ‘maverick’ part,” Smith said, “but I'm delighted to be getting an award from Woodstock, as I’ve been a Peanuts fan for years.”

Fest runs Oct. 1-5 with a gala on Oct. 4.