Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Jessica Edwards Named Executive Director of Woodstock Film Festival
Jessica Edwards will lead the Woodstock Film Festival, taking over as executive director from co-founder Meira Blaustein.
The change was announced Sunday as the festival’s 27th annual event ended in the Hudson Valley.
Blaustein received an Honorary Maverick Award for her leadership and contribution to the festival, which she co-founded in 2000.
“Mouse” won Best Narrative Feature, while “Rehearsals for a Revolution” won Best Documentary Feature.
The festival celebrates independent films and brings filmmakers together with audiences in the region.
Edwards says she wants to build on its independent spirit and create more chances for people to meet, share ideas and discover films.
Jessica Edwards has been named executive director of the Woodstock Film Festival.
She will take over from co-founder Meira Blaustein, who has led the festival since its founding in 2000.
The appointment was announced Sunday as the 27th annual festival came to a close.
Blaustein received an Honorary Maverick Award recognizing her leadership and legacy.
Edwards said she aims to build on the festival’s independent spirit and connect filmmakers with audiences in the Hudson Valley.
- Who
- Jessica Edwards has been named executive director, succeeding co-founder Meira Blaustein.
- What
- The Woodstock Film Festival announced Edwards’ appointment.
- When
- Sunday, October 18, 2026, as the 27th annual festival concluded.
- Where
- Woodstock Film Festival, in the Hudson Valley.
- Why
- The festival said Edwards would carry forward its work and vision; she brings film-industry experience and knowledge of the region.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Meira Blaustein co-founded the Woodstock Film Festival and began serving as its executive director.
The 27th annual Woodstock Film Festival ran during this period.
The festival announced Jessica Edwards as executive director as the 27th annual event concluded.
Blaustein received an Honorary Maverick Award recognizing her leadership and legacy.
- Incoming executive director
- Jessica Edwards
- Outgoing executive director
- Meira Blaustein
- Festival edition
- 27th annual
- Announcement
- Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Festival location
- Hudson Valley
2 sources
What people are saying
I’m honored to build on the founders’ legacy and help shape the festival’s future.
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.
From our very first meeting with Jessica, it was clear to us that she was the natural person to succeed Meira and carry forward the extraordinary work Meira has done over more than 25 years.