Laurent Rejto:
What is the role of the Internet when it comes to creating a family of filmmakers and distributing their films? In this interview, Laurent Rejto describes how the Woodstock Film Festival uses the Internet to embrace filmmakers and create an environment in which they can promote their work. As the Director, Co-founder and Vice-President of the Festival, Rejto sees the Web as an invaluable tool with which the Woodstock family can stay connected throughout the year, “in a communal way; in a Woodstock way.”

Laurent Rejto sees Woodstock as an ideal home for a film festival: "Filmmaking has caught up to music. Everyone can write a song. But not everyone is going to put meat and potatoes on the dinner table."

Rejto, has over twenty years experience in the film industry as a film editor, author, director, producer and office manager. After graduating from the School of Visual Arts, which he attended on a full scholarship, he became an assistant editor then film editor on documentaries including the Emmy winning “Beyond the Altar” and the Academy Award nominated “Witness to Apartheid.” As an author, Mr. Rejto has written for feature films and other media including the television series “Legend Has It.” His translation and revision of the French World War II novel, “The Reluctant Adventurer,” was published fall 2002. As a producer and director, Laurent's projects include “Reaching Out With Theatre,” “For Love of Julian” and most recently “The Boneman.”

In addition to his WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL duties, Laurent is also the driving force behind the Hudson Valley Film Commission, which promotes local film production and filmmakers. His wife, Meira Blaustein, is the co-founder of the festival.