The 12th edition of the Woodstock Film Festival, an event that takes seriously its reputation for being “fiercely independent” is in full flower (power) this weekend in the center of Woodstock, New York and neighboring towns through Sunday, September 25. For this year’s edition, the Festival is presenting nearly 150 films, along with a series of professional panels, music performances and special events. Among the highlights taking place this weekend are a repeat screening of the Festival opener PEACE, LOVE, & MISUNDERSTANDING, a dysfunctional family dramedy directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener; the Festival Spotlight Film presentation of ANOTHER HAPPY DAY, directed by Sam Levinson, featuring actress Ellen Barkin as a high strung mother with a rocky relationship with her grown children (Barkin will receive the WFF Excellence in Acting Award at Saturday night’s awards  ceremony); the East Coast premiere of PERFECT SENSE, directed by David Mackenzie, a poetic sci-fi film starring Eva Green and Ewan McGregor; MUSICAL CHAIRS, a sneak preview of the latest film by indie pioneer Susan Seidelman; the world premiere of COMING UP ROSES, starring Broadway diva Bernadette Peters; and special collaborative programs with the consulates of Spain and Israel, including the U.S. premieres of  PAPER BIRDS (Emilio Aragon), DOLPHIN BOY (Dani Menkin and Yonatan Nir) and FAT COWS LEAN COWS (Meni Elias). For more information, visit: www.woodstockfilmfestival.com

Sandy Mandelberger, Film New York Editor