FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
Contact: Meira Blaustein 845.679.4265  meira@woodstockfilmfestival.com

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL Youth Initiative Program
to offer New York Film Academy Workshops and Contest October 14-15

Woodstock, NY (August 6, 2006) As the 7th annual Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) approaches, it is thrilled to announce a number of events, all geared towards area high school students from grade 9-12.

In addition to the annual career day at which area youth are able to sit with established and emerging film professionals and youth film screenings, this years WFF, in conjunction with the New York Film Academy, will introduce a two-day workshop focusing on filmmaking and acting.

Acceptance to the TWO-DAY workshop, which will take place at the Woodstock Elementary School on Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15, is limited and will be awarded based on a 250-word essay from one of the following topics...  

Filmmaking to me is__________ or   Acting to me is__________

One essay will be chosen to win a week-long scholarship to New York Film Academy (at either their NYC school or the Los Angeles school on the Universal Studios lot).

Essays should be sent to:
NYFA Workshop
c/o Woodstock Film Festival
PO Box 1406 (regular mail)
86 Mill Hill Road (by courier)
Woodstock, NY 12498

ABOUT THE NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY

The Academy was founded in 1992 on a belief that a top quality education in filmmaking should be accessible to anyone with the drive and ambition to make films. Each year hundreds of students of all occupations, races, ethnicities, and of a wide range of ages from around the world benefit from the extraordinary education offered at the New York Film Academy. Today, little more than a decade after the first students graduated, the New York Film Academy is considered one of the most prominent fixtures of film education in the world. For more info, visit NYFA

ABOUT THE WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL:
The seventh annual Woodstock Film Festival takes place October 11-15. Over the years, the Woodstock Film Festival has established itself as one of the best independent film events in the country by premiering exceptional films; hosting the most talented emerging and established professionals in the movie industry; presenting A-list concerts, parties, and panels, and creating innovative and stimulating programming year-round. The Hudson Valley Film Commission promotes sustainable economic development by attracting and supporting local film, video, and media production.

The presenting sponsor of the 2006 Woodstock Film Festival is Markertek.com