Woodstock Film Festival LET'S TALK FILM! 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

Join industry pioneers John Sloss, an entertainment lawyer and producer known for films like *Green Book*, Bob Berney, CEO of Picturehouse with hits like *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, and Eugene Hernandez, Sundance Director and Indiewire co-founder, as they navigate the indie cinema landscape. They discuss the challenges of streaming's dominance, the importance of theatrical releases, and innovative distribution strategies. The conversation highlights the vibrant community of film festivals and how documentaries are reshaping education in the industry.

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