Highlights from the 2024 Shorts Lineup with Joy Buran, Noelle Melody and Amanda Naseem

In Episode 26, we talk with WFF shorts programmers Joy Buran, Noelle Melody and Amanda Naseem about the process of selecting films that align with their creative visions for the festival. The three speak on what it took to choose films through the record number of submissions they received, and the importance of seeking out unique and diverse stories.  

This episode also dives into some of this years selections, screening in 17 shorts blocks, including “This Is America”, “Hilarity”, and “Long Live your Resistance”. Along with that, several films are highlighted. 

Amanda Naseem, a Bard College Graduate based in Queens, quickly emerged into Woodstock Film Festival early on in her career as an assistant to Meira Blaustein, the Executive Director of the festival. In 2019 Amanda became a film programmer at Woodstock Film Festival and found a love for working with independent film to give film-makers a voice for their stories.

Joy Buran and Noelle Melody, an Annie-nominated animation and design team based in NY have been curating the Animation Program at the Woodstock Film Festival since 2016. With Joy in the city and Noelle in the Catskill mountains, the two focus on story-driven work, ranging from commercial projects to independent films. 

Listen to more WFF podcast episodes: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast

2024 Shorts: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/2024-shorts