a trailblazing visionary in film creativity, film business and film
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(Woodstock, New York) August 15, 2005 — The 6th Annual Woodstock Film Festival(September 28th through October 2nd), announced today that its inaugural Trailblazer Award will be presented to groundbreaking entertainment attorney/executive producer John Sloss.
“We are thrilled to present John Sloss with The Woodstock Film Festival’s inaugural Trailblazer Award. Mr. Sloss embodies the essence of the Award which is designed to honor a distinguished industry member who, through his pioneering approach, has carved new and uncharted territories in the film world,” said WFF executive director and co-founder Meira Blaustein. “To give this award to someone on the legal and business side of filmmaking says a tremendous amount about his out of the box, forward thinking.”
“I am humbled by this honor. People who do what we do are unaccustomed to having a light thrown on their efforts. Nevertheless, I feel this work is essential, and it is my hope that all of those who toil to assemble financing for films will feel ennobled by this recognition. I look forward to a wonderful weekend upstate.”
John Sloss is the principal in Sloss Law Office and a founder of Cinetic Media, a consulting firm specializing in the entertainment and media industries. He is also a partner in Independent Digital Entertainment (InDigEnt), an innovative production company dedicated to making digital features in collaboration with established filmmakers and actors.
Mr. Sloss has served as executive producer for more than 40 feature films, including “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” “Waking Life,” “Far from Heaven,” the Academy Award winning “The Fog of War,” “Tadpole,” “Session 9,” “Lone Star,” and “She’s the One.” He has orchestrated several of the most notable distribution deals in the last decade, including “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Super Size Me,” “Control Room,”“Capturing the Friedmans,” and “The Station Agent.” Films executive produced by Sloss in association with InDigEnt, the production company he is partnered in with filmmaker Gary Winick, include Campbell Scott’s “Final,” Ethan Hawke’s “Chelsea Walls,” Gary Winick’s Tadpole,“ Rebecca Miller’s “Personal Velocity,” which won the Grand Jury Prize and the Cinematography Award at Sundance 2002, Greg Harrison’s “November,” which won the Cinematography Awards at Sundance 2002 and “Pieces of April,” which earned Patricia Clarkson a Golden Globe nomination. Soon to be released InDigEnt titles are, Alan Taylor’s “Kill the Poor,” Mark Christopher’s “Pizza,” and Wim Wenders’ “Land of Plenty.”
The Woodstock Film Festival is will soon announce this year’s annual Honorary Maverick Award to an individual whose life and work is based on creativity, independent vision and social activism. Past recipients include Mira Nair, Woody Harrelson, Tim Robbins, D.A. ennebaker and Chris Hegedus, and Les Blank.
The ‘fiercely independent’ 2005 Woodstock Film Festival will include more than 150 films, panels, concerts, and special events that will be featured at venues in Woodstock and the neighboring towns of Rhinebeck, Hunter and Rosendale. Visit www.woodstockfilmfestival.com for ticket and more detailed program information.
ABOUT THE WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
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 Woodstock Film Commission promotes sustainable economic development by attracting and supporting film, video and media production.