The Circuit

by Dade Hayes
The only thing missing was the drum circle.

The Woodstock Film Festival, which wrapped Sunday, drew a crowd marbled with notables for its ninth edition and played out exactly as one might expect. Acoustic guitars were strummed. Vegetarians dined out. And incense, among other things, was burned.

Even a roster of recognizable named did nothing to alter Saturday night’s decidedly off-the-cuff awards gala, which prompted flashbacks to the loose-limbed Golden Globes ceremonies of yore transplanted to upstate New York.

James Schamus, the Focus Features topper who received this year’s Trailblazer Award, said, “I’m not a big fan of awards, but this night has not only been ruthlessly efficient but also real.”

Situated just 90 miles north of Gotham, Woodstock also lures many film biz pros who live north of the city. It has always had a strong buy-in from the specialty and indie scenes. Panels during this year’s fest featured the likes of sales guru John Sloss, producer Ted Hope, IFC marketing/publicity VP Ryan Werner, former Red Envelope chief Liels Copland and Cinetic’s Matt Dentler.

Because of the low-key vibe of the place, conversations are free-flowing and discursive (a little too much so for those involuntarily being pitched a passion project). Sloss, on a panel about alternative distribution (moderated by yours truly), held forth on the dismal state of the acquisitions biz. While he acknowledged doing a lot of business with IFC, he said that the company “is basically a VOD company that uses theatrical as a way to promote the DVD.”

Schamus’ use of the word “efficient” to describe Saturday’s gala was a bit generous, given how chaotic the stage was at times on Saturday as presenters brought other presenters to the stage, and they in turn gave out awards. Aside from Schamus, honorary prizes went to d.p. Haskell Wexler and director Kevin Smith.

“Now, somebody dressed a lot better and smelling a lot better than me is going to come out and say a few words,” said Mark Duplass, a T-shirt-clad Austin filmmaker (“Baghead,” “The Puffy Chair”) in one characteristic moment.

Sloss, his post-Toronto blues at bay, rallied to toast longtime client Kevin Smith. Melissa Leo, an Oscar hopeful this year for “Frozen River,” vamped discursively for 15 minutes, detailing her flights to and from the San Sebastian fest, where she won best actress, and ranting about Dollar Rent a Car.

Ang Lee offered a wry intro to Schamus (“People are always surprised how funny he is – and that he speaks English,” the honoree joked) and John Sayles, Maggie Renzi and David Straithairn brought Wexler to the stage, a few minutes after an unidentified man crashed the stage as seven (count ‘em!) cinematographers were claiming a trophy named after Wexler for their work on the doc “At the Edge of the World.” At the edge of the stage, he confessed, “I’m not one of the seven. I just wanted to meet Haskell Wexler.”

In the other major competitive prizes, audience awards went to “Let the Right One In” (narrative) and “Playing for Change: Music for Peace” (documentary), while jury prizes were given to “Prince of Broadway” (narrative) and “In a Dream” (doc).

Smith, who took home the towering hunk of molded metal called the Honorary Maverick Award, cracked, “In any other year, it’d be great to be called a maverick,” adding, “Other people got cool people to introduce them and I brought my lawyer. I’m sure he’s going to want 7% of this too.”

Sean Baker's "Prince of Broadway" won Best Feature and Jeremiah Zagar's "In a Dream" won Best Doc and the James Lyons Award for Best Doc Editing at the Woodstock Film Festival. 

Saturday's award ceremony also passed out career honors to James Schamus, Haskell Wexler, and a happy Kevin Smith.

Along with its triple dose of opening night flicks, Woodstock has added Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" and Sean McGinly's "The Great Buck Howard" as East Coast preems.  Smith will also get the honorary Maverick Award as "one of the most unique voices in independent film."

Check out the full lineup here.

A trifecta of films will open the Woodstock Film Festival on October 2 at three different venues in upstate New York.

In Woodstock, the fest will unspool the U.S. preem of Gavin O'Connor's cop drama, "Pride and Glory," starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell.  In Rhinebeck, NY, they'll unspool Mike Leigh's comedy "Happy-Go-Lucky," while in Rosendale Marc Abraham's will screen "Flash of Genius" starring Greg Kinnear as an inventor battling the auto industry.

The five-day gathering kicks off October 1 with a concert by Abigale Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet and Bela Fleck.  More info at woodstockfilmfestival.com.

Woodstock fest will open with a concert by Bela Fleck (the subject of Sascha Paladino's doc "Throw Down Your Heart") with Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet on October 1. 

They also revealed their poster from artist Karen Whitman, who specializes in linoleum block prints, an engraving technique that dates back to the 19th century.

Focus Features CEO James Schamus will receive the Trailblazer Award at the 9th annual Woodstock Film Festival on October 4th.  Schamus will be honored for his producing ("Brokeback Mountain"), his screenwriting ("The Ice Storm"), and his songwriting ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") with a retrospective and a discussion of his career.

“The award was created with the intention of honoring those who have taken an innovative and transforming approach in the film industry" said Meira Blaustein, the fest's exec director. "Mr. Schamus surpasses those objectives. The fact the he has exhibited excellence in both business and creativity sets him apart from all his peers.”

“I’m touched to be receiving this honor from one of my very favorite film festivals," said Schamus "one that carries on the spirit of adventure and discovery that characterizes its hometown.”

Past Trailblazer recipients include Ted Sarandos of Netflix, Jonathan Sehring of IFC Entertainment, and John Sloss of Cinetic Media.

Woodstock fest has announced a handful of new awards, some of which are named after famous locals. 

The Lee Marvin Award for Best Feature Narrative, honoring the actor who moved near Woodstock in 1945.  The winning film will get five grand.

The James Lyons Editing Award, named after the much loved editor of "Far From Heaven," "Safe," "Velvet Goldmine," and "Spring Forward."  Lyons kept a home near Woodstock and passed away last year.

Panavision will provide $15,000 toward the Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography, named after the d.p. of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and director of "Medium Cool."

“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “I’m Not There” will open and close the Woodstock Film Festival, which announced their complete lineup today.  And there’s no shortage of premieres, however you want to define them: “eight World Premieres, seven U.S. Premieres, fifteen NY Premieres, nine East Coast Premieres and two North American Premieres.” 

While readers may know the skepticism with which I approach premieres at smaller fests, Woodstock is different.  It’s programming team comes with good resumes: IFC’s Ryan Werner (senior programmer), journalist/filmmaker Michael Lerman and Magnolia’s Tom Quinn.  In fact, their endorsements make some of Austin Film Festival’s picks suddenly appetizing – “Neal Cassady” for one.  (Since both Austin and Woodstock happen at the same time, maybe they can both claim “Cassady” as a premiere.) 

Narratives in competition include “August Evening,” “Choose Connor,” “In Search Of A Midnight Kiss,” “Liberty Kid,” "The Living Wake," and “Neal Cassady."

Documentaries in competition: "Billy The Kid," "Constantine's Sword," "The Cool School," "Making Trouble," "Moving Midway," "Iron Ladies Of Liberia," and "Run Granny Run."