The Circuit

“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."