“This year features more than 100 films from around the world that tackle a wide variety of issues at the forefront of humanity; whether related to social change, the environment, war, or people and places on the edge of society. As a festival that supportsthe work of emerging filmmakers, many of whom will be attending, we strive to develop a program that is both a showcase of independent film and a gathering place for filmmakers and for people who love independent film.” -Judy Laster (WHFF’s Exec. Dir.)
The Woods Hole Film Festival, which showcases and promotes the work of independent filmmakers from New England and shows films that are relevant to life on Cape Cod, announces the line-up of the sixteenth annual festival from Saturday July 28, through Saturday August 4. Besides the large number of New England filmmakers represented in the festival, this year’s roster of films includes an unprecedented number of films created by filmmakers from around the world. There are also several panels supported by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, master classes, music events and of course, parties. For the first time attendees can plan a personalized schedule and rate and comment on the films they’ve seen through the B-Side online community (details at www.woodsholefilmfestival.org).
This year brings such talent to Woods Hole as Les Blank who will screen his most recent film, ALL IN THIS TEA in addition to leading a master class in documentary filmmaking looking at BURDEN OF DREAMS, his documentary about the making of Werner Herzog’s FITZCARRALDO (Thursday, August 2, 2:00 PM). Sam Weisman, director of GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, THE OUT OF TOWNERS, and others will be presenting another interesting master class in directing for film (Friday, August 3, 2:00 PM).
Some of Boston’s resident filmmakers will be heading down for the festival such as Arlington, MA-based director and writer David McLaughlin for his screening of ON BROADWAY starring a bevy of Boston-area natives, including Joey McIntyre, Eliza Dushku, Mike O'Malley, Lance Greene, Will Arnett, Robert Wahlberg, and Amy Poehler (Saturday, August 4, 8:00 PM, Redfield Auditorium). Boston-based director David Tames will attend the world premiere of SMILE BOSTON PROJECT, a short film which follows artist Bren Bataclan through the first three years of his campaign to leave paintings in public places with a note that says, “This painting is yours to keep if you promise to smile at random people more often.” (Saturday, August 4, 5:00 PM, Old Woods Hole Fire Station). There will be an enlightening series of panels throughout the week: The future of long form documentary in the age of Internet video Sunday, July 29th - 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., Panel Discussion: Delivering Video via the Internet: Challenges and Opportunities Tuesday, July 31 - 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M, Media Literacy in the 21st Century Wednesday, August 1st - 4 P.M. to 5:30 P.M., Cities Without Walls (cWOW) Thursday, August 2 - 4:00 PM, Survival Strategies for Independent Producers Saturday, August 4th - 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. and Making a Good Living as a Filmmaker – An In Depth Workshop with Animator Bill Plympton Saturday August 4th 11:00 AM. Find out what films and panels are the perfect fit for you on their website. There you will find locations, showtimes, synopses, and ticket and pass prices.
I just thought I would give you a heads up about our 16th annual Woods Hole Film Festival which is shaping up to be a very exciting program of screenings, panels, master classes, exhibitions, parties, even our GREEN SCREEN and first annual GREEN EXPO. We have Les Blank coming from Berkeley, California bringing his new film ALL IN THIS TEA, about David Lee Hoffmann, a tea importer who in his obsessive attempts to acquire some of the rarest teas in the world re-introduces China to it's own ancient tea culture. As our FILMMAKER-IN-RESIDENCE, Les will bring a great spirit of true independence and will offer a very dynamic Master Class and showing films like GARLIC IS AS GOOD AS TEN MOTHERS, a profile of Alice Waters of Chez Pannise fame, BURDEN OF DREAMS, a film chronicling Werner Herzog's making of FITZCARRALDO and possibly other films. Les's appearance continues our mission to honor great independent filmmakers. In the past few years we have hosted RICKY LEACOCK ( Paris) , KIDLAT TAHIMIK,( The Philippines), ART C. SMITH ( ANWR, Alaska).
It is a wonderful place to be immersed in the craft of filmmaking both its past and its very vital future. With the help of people like David Tames, we are putting together a series of panel discussions which will concentrate on the future of long form Documentary in the Age of Internet Video, a producer's roundtable-llike panel featuring hollywood director Sam Weisman and documentary filmmakers from WGBH as well as others. We are building on what we started several years ago with a new program that looks at the role that new technologies and the convergence of media have had on the distribution and making of films. In the last six months alone, the blossoming of internet video has so intensified, that it mandates a continuing of this fascinating discussion by practioners in the field.
Of course we have films, animations, features, documentaries,even experimental video art. We will be bringing New Jersey's largest and oldest alternative gallery's (CITY WITHOUT WALLS cwow.org) 1800 Frames exhibit which explores the work of about thirty artists working in a 60 second format ( Hence the "1800 frames"). A reception for the artists and a viewing of some of these powerful and humorous videos will be screened at my new studio, THOUGHT BALLOON STUDIO ( 12 sidney street, Woods Hole).
There will be parties as well, and in a setting of our little historic village known for its powerhouse of science, oceanography, marine biology and abundant arts. It is ONE WEEK ( July 28-August 4th--satuday to saturday); ONE VILLAGE; and ONE BOATLOAD OF FILMS!
You can also go to itunes and hear the podcast interview I did with Les, discussing his new work... Look up Woods Hole Film Festival on itunes TODAY!
