LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #23In this episode, we talk with Actor/Producer Djaka Souaré and Actor Anthony Lalor about their new short film CUT ME IF YOU CAN, a satire about the racist and sexist tropes we see in horror films. Djaka and Anthony talk about creating black characters in non-stereotypical roles, meeting dream collaborators, and the festival circuit +  Djaka recommends some lesser-known festivals to consider submitting your film to. Djaka Souaré is an actress and filmmaker of Guinean & French descent. In 2023, Djaka produced the short film “Reunion,” Executive Produced by Danaï Gurira & Lupita N’yongo that has qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards. She was also part of the 2023 AFRIFF & CANEX “Script to Screen” program, where she developed her first feature script and won the pitch competition. Djaka’s first short film, “Jazz in Wakanda,” which she wrote, directed, produced, and in which she starred, sold to COMCAST. Previously, Djaka worked at Goldcrest & Saboteur Media, and produced two documentaries that both opened at TriBeCa.Anthony Lalor is a born and raised New York actor who graduated with a BA from Le Moyne College. Member of Classical Theatre of Harlem, Anthony’s credits include ‘The Tempest,’  ‘Antigone,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Romeo & Juliet’  and ‘Midsummers Night’s Dream.’ Anthony is developing a TV dramedy based about a group of friends living in NYC.Instagram:Djakasouare1Anthonyf.lalorSubmit your films to WFF  (https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/callforentry) plus included are Djaka’s recommended African film festivals: FESTIVAL DAKAR COURTS https://www.festivaldakarcourt.com/FESPACO https://fespaco.bf/appel-a-films-fespaco-2025/DURBAN FILM FESTIVAL https://filmfreeway.com/DurbanFilmFestMore WFF podcast episodes:https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #22In this episode, we chat with filmmakers Julie Sharbutt and Anastasia Rykova, whose shorts SCAM and THE TALE OF TWO CRUEL RULERS were featured at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival. Julie Sharbutt is a Genre and Comedy filmmaker and writer based in LA. Her 2023 short film SCAM has screened at Woodstock, Fantaspoa and more. The 2021 short CUPIDS she co-wrote premiered at Tribeca. Her short film 3 DAYS is on ALTER, her feature MOVED on Amazon. Julie is a Warner Bros Discovery OneFifty New Storytellers Initiative alumni, and member of Film Fatales and Alliance of Women Directors. Her humor writing can be seen in The New Yorker and McSweeneys. MFA: Acting from NYU, BA: Vanderbilt. She loves hiking, volunteering, and ghost stories. Anastasia Rykova is an award-winning animation filmmaker, visual development artist, and art director. With over 9 years of experience in Fine Arts, she came to the United States in 2019 to study Computer Animation. She believes that every message and emotion has its perfect storytelling form, and she fell in love with animation because of the multitude of storytelling tools it encompasses. She finds her mission in healing through creation and in reminding everyone that animation is one of the most powerful forms of art.Julie Sharbutt https://www.instagram.com/jcsharbsAnastasia Rykova https://www.instagram.com/xaosart/More WFF podcast episodes:https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #21In this episode, we chat with filmmaker and food advocate Oliver English about his recent film, FEEDING TOMORROW. Oliver talks about the impact of his solutions-oriented film, from regenerative farming, growing food on rooftops at Brooklyn Grange, the first farm built inside of a hospital that provides healthy food to patients, and much more! Oliver English is a filmmaker, photographer, chef, and food advocate born in raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Common Table Creative, an impact-driven production and hospitality company. His film FEEDING TOMORROW has already been recognized by several film festivals, winning the Ceres Best Feature Documentary Award and being named as the official selection by both the Bahamas International Film Festival and the Woodstock Film Festival.Watch the film FEEDING TOMORROW. Connect with Oliver English on Instagram.More podcast episodes:https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #20In this episode, we discuss with 2023 WFF filmmaker alumnus Set Hernandez and his close friend, Pedro, the subject of his most recent film, UNSEEN. Together they explore the creative approaches to documentary filmmaking that assist in representing Pedro’s intersectionality as a disabled, immigrant social worker. They simultaneously discuss the social impact filmmakers can have on audiences as well as the captivating story of UNSEEN’s development in this riveting interview.Set Hernandez (they/she/he) is a filmmaker and community organizer whose roots come from Bicol, Philippines. Their feature documentary debut, “unseen,” had its world premiere at Hot Docs 2023. Set’s past documentary work includes directing the award-winning short COVER/AGE (2019) and impact producing for Call Her Ganda (Tribeca, 2018). An alumnus of the Disruptors Fellowship, Set is currently developing both a TV comedy pilot and a feature-length screenplay. Their work has been supported by the Sundance Institute, NBCUniversal, the Gotham Institute, and the Woodstock Film Festival, among other organizations.UNSEEN has already received multiple accolades, including: the Official Hotdocs Selection, the CAAMFest 2023 Documentary Award, the 2023 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Audience Award, the 2023 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival  Emerging Filmmaker Award, and the 2023 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Social Change Award.More podcast episodes:https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #19In this episode, writer/director Chelsea Bo and actor Ava Acres talk about making the narrative film NO RIGHT WAY by improvising the script, which brings a totally fresh and new kind of realism to an indie film about single motherhood. Chelsea Bo is a writer/director with a theater and improv background. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film & Television and was selected for both Film Independent’s Incubator Lab and Village Roadshow’s Emerging Talent Program. Chelsea co-founded the production company Paxeros with her husband/producing partner Sean Drummond, and together they have produced three feature films, including Joshua Leonard’s Fully Realized Humans (Tribeca, 2020) and Sarah Adina Smith’s The Drop (Tribeca, 2022). No Right Way is her feature directorial debut.Ava Acres is one of Hollywood's most versatile young actors. She played "Madeline" in AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL, young "Queen Regina" in ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME, and recurred as young "Rebecca" in CW's award-winning musical comedy CRAZY EX GIRLFRIEND. Ava's recent credits include a recurring role on Ryan Murphy's 9-1-1 (Fox), HANDSOME: A NETFLIX MURDER MYSTERY, and WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: TEN YEARS LATER. Ava can also be seen as the evil supervillain Katya in MARVEL's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., and appeared in season 7 of MAD MEN as Susie. Other television work includes a TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE pilot for CBS, a series regular role on the Fox comedy pilot OUTNUMBERED, roles on WEEDS, HARRY'S LAW, CRIMINAL MINDS, and more. Support the NO RIGHT WAY indie filmmakers on GoFundMe! Paxeros More WFF podcast episodes

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #18In this episode, we chat with Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson about their latest award-winning films GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT, the short film BLACK GIRLS PLAY: THE STORY OF HAND GAMES, and the importance of communal viewing and how film festivals contribute to that experience. Producer and Director Joe Brewster is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who uses his training as the foundation in approaching the social issues he tackles as an artist and filmmaker. Brewster wrote and directed his first film, The Keeper (1995), after a two year-long stint as a prison psychiatrist at the notorious Brooklyn House of Detention. Filmmaker, artist and author, Michèle Stephenson, pulls from her Haitian and Panamanian roots to think radically about storytelling and disrupt the imaginary in non-fiction spaces. She tells emotionally driven personal stories of resistance and identity that center the lived experiences of communities of color in the Americas and the Black diaspora. Rada Studio Listen to more WFF podcast episodes here.

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #17In this episode, we chat with Actor and Director Larry Fessenden about his independent horror films and how they showcase the impending doom of present societal issues. Fessenden is an actor, writer, director, and producer and the head of the NY-based independent production shingle Glass Eye Pix with the mission of supporting individual voices in the arts.Larry FessendenGlass Eye PixTopics Discussed:- Larry’s horror films and their relation to modern social issues - Importance of Woodstock Film Festival for smaller artists- Why Larry chooses to inspire/mentor others- The importance of local and smaller “voices”; supporting small businesses and ideasFor More Episodes: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode # 16In this episode, we chat with Director, Producer, and Screenwriter Yoruba Richen about her work on uncovering never-before-told, or otherwise improperly told, stories through her many films. Yoruba Richen is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker whose work has been featured on multiple outlets, including Netflix, MSNBC, FX/Hulu, HBO, and PBS. One of her most recent films THE REBELLIOUS LIFE OF MRS. ROSA PARKS premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and won a Peabody and Gracie Award. It is currently streaming on Peacock. Other recent films include HOW IT FEELS TO BE FREE (American Masters), THE SIT-IN: HARRY BELAFONTE HOSTS THE TONIGHT SHOW” (Peacock), and “GREEN BOOK: GUIDE TO FREEDOM” (Smithsonian Channel).Info and Links:Yoruba RichenInstagramFacebookTwitter/XTopics Discussed:What got Yoruba into film/documentary workHer work on “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks”Her work with the Woodstock Film Festival

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #15In this episode, we chat with Director and Cinematographer Stephen Gerard Kelly about his latest film IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT. Stephen Gerard Kelly is an Ireland-raised artist with a sensitivity around post-colonial power structures and a background in development and conflict research. He spent five years living in Beirut, listening, understanding, and filming issues facing vulnerable communities displaced by sectarianism, conflict, and a lack of economic opportunities, particularly in Sabra and Shatila. After directing and filming his debut feature-length documentary film In the Shadow of Beirut, he is continuing to develop impactful, compelling, cinematic documentaries while working with experienced teams on clever independent fictional films exploring social themes.IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT: Ireland's Selection for Oscars® 2024From the makers of GAZA (Sundance 2019), comes a new cinematic odyssey that penetrates deep below the surface of Beirut, a still beautiful, yet deeply troubled city on the brink of financial collapse.Tue. 11/14/23 @ 7pm: IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT Screening + Filmmakers Q&A: International Feature Film & longlisted for Best Documentary FeatureListen to more podcast episodes @https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

Kim Jackson is a critically acclaimed producer and production manager. Some of her work includes DOWN WITH THE KING (2021), TRUST MACHINE: THE STORY OF BLOCKCHAIN (2018), and BLUE  CAPRICE (2013). She currently serves as the VP of development for New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT). Among other things, she is also a co-founder of the creative studio Evotion.Topics discussed: NYWIFT,  benefits of membership,  equality of women in film in 2023, artificial intelligence vs human creativity, monitoring AI and the lack of ethics in the US, the age of technology, storytelling on a screen, cinema is community, Kim’s film DOWN WITH THE KING (2021) and what film producers do. Listen to more podcast episodes:https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

In the 1990s, original storytelling rose on the back of new technology, as VCR and DVD revenue flowed into the recoupment waterfall. Risking $1 million to make and market a new film became a “why not” – Until streaming platforms eclipsed all distribution. Audiences increased while revenues diminished. Today, the monolithic streaming model has proved unsustainable. When Hollywood studios are stumped, what's the hope for the Indies? This panel considers how we got here and the pathway out.PANELISTS:John Sloss is an entertainment lawyer, film producer, talent manager, sales agent, and founder of Cinetic Media, whose credits include The Velvet Underground, Green Book, Boyhood, I’m Not There, Before Sunset, and Far from Heaven, among others.Eugene Hernandez is the Director of the Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming, co-founder of Indiewire, and former Director of the New York Film Festival.Bob Berney is the CEO of Picturehouse, co-founded and operated FilmDistrict, Apparition, Newmarket Films, and IFC Films.Moderated by Wendy EttingerListen to more episodes: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

More and more actors choose to also work behind the camera as directors, and/or producers of narrative films, television series, and experimental shorts, along with other genres and formats. Hear what compels them to work behind the camera, and how different those experiences are.SPEAKERS:Steve Buscemi -  Steve Buscemi is an actor, writer, director and producer. He starred in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, which garnered him a Golden Globe® Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy® nominations. His directing work includes the films Trees Lounge and Interview, and TV series including The Sopranos, which earned him Emmy® and DGA Award nominations, 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie, Portlandia, and Love. He currently co-stars opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the TBS anthology series Miracle Workers. Matthew Modine- Matthew Modine’s iconic portrayals in films such as Alan Parker’s Birdy, Louden Swain in Vision Quest, Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, and Dr. Martin “Papa” Brenner in the global phenomenon Stranger Things have cemented Matthew’s legacy in the entertainment industry. Recent star turns include Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and Retribution opposite Liam Neeson. MODERATOR:Mary Stuart Masterson - Mary Stuart Masterson’s 4-decade film, TV, and theater career includes roles in AT CLOSE RANGE, SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL, IMMEDIATE FAMILY (National Board of Review Award), FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, BENNY AND JOON as well as the Broadway musical NINE (Tony Award nomination). Her recent film credits include DANIEL ISN'T, THE SENIOR, and BORROWED TIME. Woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

In the first of our 2023 Woodstock Film Festival panel series, multiple Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody awards winner and a legend in her field, Sheila Nevins chats with two-time Academy Awards® winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple who leads the conversation.  The two talk about their legendary careers, the state of documentary filmmaking now, and their present and future film projects. Nevins is credited for producing over 1,000 (!) documentary films for HBO and MTV Documentary Films, and with decades as the top leader in the documentary filmmaking space, Nevins is still going strong! Barbara Kopple – Two time Academy Award® winner (Harlan County U.S.A., American Dream) + 40+ films including Shut Up & Sing, Gumbo Coalition, Miss Sharon JonesSheila Nevins - Multiple Oscar, Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer and executive producer with hundreds of wins and nominations (America Undercover, Last Flight Home, Citizen Four, 76 Days)Woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #10In this episode, we chat with actor and producer Thomas Sadoski about SAG strikes, independent films, and his work with non-profit organization War Child USA. A 20+ year veteran of the theatre, Tom most recently starred in the award-winning and critically acclaimed revival of Alice Childress’ WEDDING BAND at Theatre For a New Audience and Suzan Lori-Parks’ WHITE NOISE at The Public. His Broadway credits include OTHER DESERT CITIES, REASONS TO BE PRETTY, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and RECKLESS. His off-Broadway credits include THIS IS OUR YOUTH, BECKY SHAW, WHERE WE’RE BORN, THE WAY WE GET BY and over 20 others. On the big screen, he most recently starred in the epic film “Devotion”, the story of Jesse Brown the first Black naval aviator, and stars across from Patricia Clarkson in “Lilly”, the story of equal rights pioneer Lilly Ledbetter. On television he is best known for his work as Don Keefer in the Aaron Sorkin HBO series “The Newsroom” and in the CBS comedy “Life in Pieces”. He recently was seen on the Apple series “The Crowded Room” alongside Amanda Seyfried and Tom Holland. He is the Founding Ambassador of the renowned charity War Child USA, a member of the advisory council for the human rights organization Fortify Rights, a board member emeritus of Refugees International, and is a member of the board of directors for INARA which provides life-saving and life-changing medical care to children who are wounded as a result of war.Tom Sadoski will play Jon Goldfarb in upcoming indie film LILLY about equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter. Tom has been an Ambassador for War Child USA since 2018 to ensure women and children from nations of conflict can receive the safety, education, and opportunities needed to provide for themselves again. Thomas SadoskiWar Child USATopics Discussed:Lilly LedbetterSAG-AFTRA StrikesIndependent films and how they break barriers and inspire humanity War Child USA

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #9 In this episode, we chat with filmmakers Alex Smith and Tsanavi Spoonhunter about this year's Woodstock Film Festival’s Filmmaker Residency and Tsanavi’s upcoming documentary feature HOLDER OF THE SKY. Alex is a filmmaker and educator and currently serves as the Creative Director for Woodstock’s Filmmaker Residency where he helped mentor Tsanavi this past year. He and his twin brother have written and directed three feature films: WALKING OUT (2017), WINTER IN THE BLOOD (2013), and THE SLAUGHTER RULE (2002). Tsanavi Spoonhunter is a Northern Arapaho and Northern Paiute nonfiction film director, producer, and writer based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Spoonhunter is a 2022-2024 Firelight Media Documentary Lab fellow and Woodstock Film Festival resident where she collaborated with other filmmakers and mentors to develop her upcoming project.Alex Smith:http://www.ranchwaterfilms.com/https://www.instagram.com/ranchwaterfilms/https://www.instagram.com/walkingoutfilm/Tsanavi Spoonhunter:https://tsanavi.com/https://www.instagram.com/tsanavi/https://www.holderoftheskyfilm.com/Topics Discussed:-2023 Woodstock Film Festival Filmmaker Residency-Tsanavi’s upcoming project HOLDER OF THE SKY -Relationship with nature in filmmaking -Importance of collaboration in indigenous filmmaking - Upcoming Residency showcase at WFF 2023

LET’S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #8This episode features Rick Rowley, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist. He is best known for his films DIRTY WARS (2013), DOCUMENTING HATE (2018), and 16 SHOTS (2019). Rowley recently received a Peabody Award for FRONTLINE: Micheal Flynn's Holy War. Rowley’s films highlight his willingness to take risks in order to bring dark truths to light. Rowley has been a jury member and is a long-time friend of the festival.Rick Rowley: InstagramPeabody Award Acceptance Speech for FRONTLINE: Micheal Flynn's Holy WarTopics discussed:- The Role of Wikileaks during the Iraq War- ITHAKA - a documentary film about the fight to free Julian Assange - Risk-taking as a journalist - War crimes unpunished, compartmentalizing terror - The evolution of documentary filmmaking - Frontline Series: Micheal Flynn's Holy War- The continuation of reporting on the war machine

LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast Episode #7In this episode, the filmmakers discuss their documentary film THE QUIET EPIDEMIC's rallying cry for proper research on Lyme disease. We also highlight Keys’ experience with Lyme and the film's impact at festivals. The film was featured at the Woodstock Film Festival in September 2022.Aside from being the director, producer, and cinematographer of her film feature film, Lindsay Keys is an accomplished photographer with a versatile range of clientele. Chris Hegedus is an experienced documentary filmmaker. Along with THE QUIET EPIDEMIC, some of her work includes Oscar-nominated THE WAR ROOM (1993) and Emmy-award-winning ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY (2002).See THE QUIET EPIDEMIC:TwitterInstagramLindsay Keys:InstagramTopics discussed:Bringing THE QUIET EPIDEMIC to the Woodstock Film FestivalHegedus’ relationship with the Woodstock Film FestivalThe pervasiveness of Lyme’s disease through the lens of film festivalsSynopsis of THE QUIET EPIDEMICThe perception issue The impact of THE QUIET EPIDEMIC

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #1Meira Blaustein is the Co-Founder / Executive Director / Programmer of the Woodstock Film Festival. The Festival was launched in 2000 and has quickly become one of the most respected and influential regional film festivals in the US. Blaustein has been running it ever since.Submit your film to the Woodstock Film Festival on FilmFreewayConnect with WFF on  Linktree

LET’S TALK FILM! EPISODE #6 James Schamus serves on the negotiating committee of the Writers Guild of America, whose members are currently on strike. He talks about fake unions created by Hollywood, the history of the Writers' Strikes, provides insight into industry practices that prevent career stability for working writers + much more! James Schamus is an award-winning screenwriter (The Ice Storm), producer (Brokeback Mountain), director (Indignation), showrunner (Somos.), and former CEO of Focus Features. James is also the Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, where he teaches film history and theory. James Schamus: Twitter WGA WebsiteTopics discussed:-Trailblazer Award -History of Writers Guild Strikes-2007-’08 Writers Strike -New Media and the Impact of Strikes-Current Strike’s Incentives-Career Instability in Entertainment-Possible Outcomes & Solidarity-Globalization

LET'S TALK FILM! EPISODE #5In this episode, Edwards-Beal and Youngelson talk about their recent film HERE. IS. BETTER. (2023) regarding cinematography, the special music created for the film, healing from PTSD, and working with veterans. Jack Youngelson is a highly accomplished documentary filmmaker and writer. Sian Edwards-Beal is “an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and director who has created and delivered a comprehensive range of film, television, and web content for networks including HBO, the BBC, National Geographic, and Channel 4.” Info and links: Watch HERE. IS. BETTER: WebsiteTwitterInstagramJack Youngelson: TwitterInstagramSian Edwards-Beal: TwitterInstagramTopics discussed:World premiere experience at Woodstock Film Festival Process of creating the film More on PTSD Treatments Military and wider response Learning veteran's stories About the team of filmmakers, the soundtrack and cinematography