Woodstock Film Festival Announces International Screenings

The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) is going global as it gears up for its 13th festival October 10-14. Executive Director and Co-Founder Meira Blaustein is heading to London to bring the Woodstock brand of “Fiercely Independent” cinema across the pond for a special screening event. Co-presented by i-D Magazine and Diesel-UK, two official selections from the 2011 WFF will be shown June 12-13 at the Curzon in Mayfair Cinema, an intimate art house that has played an instrumental role in the progression of the British and international film industry. In other signs of WFF’s international expansion, Blaustein will also serve as Executive Director for the new Cabo International Film Festival, which will be held in association with WFF and have its inaugural run in November 2013.

The invitation-only event at the Curzon, one of the first cinemas to import and show foreign language films in the UK, will include screenings of two films and host their respective filmmakers for Q&A sessions. The first night will present Lisa Albright’s Coming Up Roses starring Bernadette Peters and rising star Rachel Brosnahan, a disturbing yet tender portrait of a domineering theatrical mother who shuttles her teenage daughter across small-town America. The second evening’s film will be Dani Menkin and Yonatan Nir’s inspirational documentary Dolphin Boy, which presents the real-life story of a severely traumatized Israeli-Arab teenager whose doctor recommends dolphin therapy as a last ditch approach.

”Partnering with progressive and creative companies like i-D magazine and Diesel UK make it possible for us to venture into London, one of the most important global media centers.” said Blaustein. “This is just one reflection of the continuing evolution for the Woodstock Film Festival and its expanding role as an important platform for independent film.”

The indefatigable Blaustein is also partnering with Golden & Green Productions LLC to launch the newest international film event, The Cabo International Film Festival (www.cabofilmfestival.com), which will be held in association with the Woodstock Film Festival. Still in its early planning stage, the festival is set to run four nights and encompass more than eight venues along with special events on the world renowned beaches. The natural beauty of its location, combined with its amenities as a luxury destination and proximity to Los Angeles, is expected to provide all the elements for this festival to quickly become a major center of gravity within the film community.

In other International news, Blaustein just returned from the 65th Festival de Cannes, where she covered the prestigious event for i-D Magazine and screened numerous films for potential inclusion in the 13th Woodstock Film Festival, which runs October 10-14 this year (www.woodstockfilmfestival.com).

“Reporting from Cannes, one of the most important international film events, while representing the Woodstock Film Festival will help spread our wings into the global platform” said Blaustein. . “I look forward to bringing some of the most powerful films I’ve seen at Cannes to the Woodstock Film Festival this fall.”