The 27th Woodstock Film Festival has concluded with the announcement of its Maverick Award winners and a new executive director.
On Sunday, the festival named Jessica Edwards as its new executive director, taking over for co-founder Meira Blaustein, as Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson’s Mouse won Best Narrative Feature during Sunday’s awards brunch.
“To call this a dream job would be an understatement,” said Edwards in a statement. “I’m honored to build on the founders’ legacy and help shape the festival’s future. Woodstock’s history is shaped by its creativity, innovation, and independent spirit. I want to carry that spirit forward by bringing filmmakers and industry partners from around the world together with audiences here in the Hudson Valley.
“My vision for the festival is to create opportunities for people to meet, share ideas, and discover films together — connections that I hope will support filmmakers and inspire the next generation of cinema lovers,” she added.
Blaustein, who has served as executive director since co-founding the film festival in 2000, received a special Honorary Maverick Award recognizing her visionary leadership and enduring legacy.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jessica at the Woodstock Film Festival over the past few years, and I have nothing but the greatest respect for her,” said Blaustein.
“As a filmmaker, a distribution consultant, and a former publicist, Jessica brings with her deep understanding, creative vision, and vast and strong contacts in the film industry,” she continued. “As a resident of the Hudson Valley, she knows and loves the region and its community. I am confident that she will not only retain the vision of the Woodstock Film Festival, which I have worked so long and hard to build and nurture, but will lead it towards an exciting new growth. I can’t wait to see what the next few years will bring. Welcome, Jessica!”
Meanwhile, this year’s competition winners include Best Documentary Feature recipient Rehearsals for a Revolution, Best Ultra Indie winner Washed Up and Best Short Documentary winner They’re Here for Best Short Documentary, decided by jury members like Aya Cash, Corbin Bernsen, Debra Granik, Ellen Kuras, Bill Horberg, Michèle Stephenson, Marshall Curry, Lori Singer, Robert Stone, Amy Gossels, Shelby Stone and more.
See all the 2026 Maverick Award winners from the 27th Woodstock Film Festival below.
GIGANTIC PICTURES AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE NARRATIVE
Mouse, dir. Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson
Honorable mention:
Josephine, dir. Beth de Araújo
THE LEON GAST AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Rehearsals for a Revolution, dir. Pegah Ahangarani
LAURENT REJTO MADE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY AWARD
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Rain Reign, dir. Erika Burke Rossa
GRAY SCHWARTZ ULTRA INDIE AWARD
Washed Up, dir. Isabel Moncloa Daly
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
They’re Here, dir. Laura Poitras & Rachel Lauren Mueller
Honorable mention:
One Last Order, dir. Sam Soko & Lauren Defilippo
BEST SHORT NARRATIVE
Dongmei, dir. Rubing Zhang
BEST ANIMATION
Saba, dir. Liron Topaz
Honorable mention:
Virgin Fandango, dir. Marcy Page
WORLD OF HA CHANGEMAKER AWARD
Seized, dir. Sharon Liese
HASKELL WEXLER AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Nuisance Bear, dir. Jack Weisman & Gabriela Osio Vanden
Honorable mention:
The Great Experiment, dir. Stephen Maing & Eric Daniel Metzgar
NYWIFT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTING A NARRATIVE FILM
Rain Reign, dir. Erika Burke Rossa
NYWIFT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTING A DOCUMENTARY FILM
Our Dark Horse, dir. Grace Barry
Honorable mention:
Re/Pair, dir. Lacey Schwartz Delgado
BEST EDITING, NARRATIVE AWARD
Wicker, edited by Sofi Marshall, ACE
BEST EDITING, DOCUMENTARY AWARD
To Hold a Mountain, edited by George Cragg
Honorable mention:
Rehearsals for a Revolution, edited by Arash Ashtiani
BEST STUDENT SHORT
Bless the Telephone, dir. K.D. Chalk
English (US) ·