NEWSLETTER
The acclaimed independent film festival retires its iconic peace sign and debuts a bold new look, created pro bono by New York design studio Madeo, ahead of its 27th edition this October
Woodstock, NY - August 28, 2026 - The Woodstock Film Festival today unveiled a sweeping new look, its first major rebrand since the festival’s original design was created in 2000 by the global design firm Siegel+Gale. Developed in partnership with New York City-based design and technology studio Madeo, the brand refresh marks the beginning of a bold new visual chapter for one of the country’s most celebrated independent film festivals as it prepares for its 27th edition, taking place October 14–18, 2026, in New York’s Hudson Valley.
The festival was selected for the project through Madeo In-Kind, a new initiative through which Madeo donates a large-scale creative project to a nonprofit organization whose work and mission align with the studio's values. Selected from more than 160 nonprofit applicants, the Woodstock Film Festival received a comprehensive reimagining of its branding and digital presence at no cost to the organization.
Most significantly, the Festival is retiring the peace sign that has long anchored its branding, making way for a new design system built to distinguish the Woodstock Film Festival while honoring its fiercely independent spirit and pointing toward its future.
"For over 26 years, the Woodstock Film Festival has continued to grow and evolve, but what has never changed has been our commitment to supporting fiercely independent filmmaking, artistic excellence, and community building," said Meira Blaustein, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Woodstock Film Festival. "Our new look honors that spirit while giving us a fresh visual language for the next chapter of the Festival. The thoughtful process behind Madeo’s approach to the redesign impressed everyone on our team, and we are truly thankful for their commitment and generosity."
"When reviewing over 160 applicants, the Woodstock Film Festival stood out for its profound cultural footprint and enduring commitment to independent voices," said Ramy Nagy, Madeo’s Founder and Creative Director. "Our goal was to design an expansive visual language that honors Woodstock's rich creative heritage while providing a flexible, modern framework for its digital platforms, year-round programming, and iconic annual gathering."
The new logo brings the words “Woodstock Film Festival” so closely together, reflective of the inclusive, tight-knit community that the festival fosters. The flexible color palette evokes the surrounding nature of the Catskills, its sense of an outdoor retreat, along with the deliberate creative expression the festival offers in that setting. Built to unify the festival's year-round community programming and its annual five-day festival, the identity will be fully integrated across Hudson Valley screening venues, print collateral, motion graphics, and filmmaker installations throughout the October event.
The Woodstock Film Festival’s new look officially launches today across the Festival's newly redesigned digital presence and through a billboard campaign across the Hudson Valley. The new branding will continue to roll out in the weeks ahead and will be fully realized during the 2026 edition across digital and print materials, merchandise, signage, venues and Festival experiences throughout the region.
The 27th annual Woodstock Film Festival takes place October 14–18, 2026, across Woodstock, Saugerties, Rosendale, and Kingston, NY. The festival showcases over 120 films including feature narratives, feature documentaries, short films, panel discussions, musical performances, and live filmmaker Q&As. The full 2026 film lineup and schedule will be announced in mid-September. The WFF 2026 full festival passes and weekend passes are available now for purchase.
ABOUT MADEO
Madeo is an award-winning brand and web agency that works with leading non-profit organizations and cultural institutions to advance their mission and deepen engagement with their communities. Madeo has been recognized by many awards, including the Webby Awards, Anthem Awards, and the Shorty Awards. The multidisciplinary team is made of expert strategists, designers, web developers, and project managers committed to social good. Through Madeo In-Kind, the studio is extending its expertise to a smaller nonprofit selected to receive a significant creative project at no cost to the organization. Learn more at madeostudio.com
ABOUT THE WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
Established in 2000, the Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that nurtures and supports emerging and established filmmakers, sharing their creative voices through an annual festival and year-round programming to promote culture, diversity, community, educational opportunities and economic growth. WFF provides innovative mentoring and educational programs benefiting filmmakers, students and diverse audiences while serving as a cultural and economic engine for New York’s Hudson Valley and beyond. These efforts have consistently resulted in the Festival being recognized as one of the top regional film festivals worldwide.
The Woodstock Film Festival is an Academy Awards® qualifying festival in the categories of Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film and Documentary Short Film.
The 27th Annual Woodstock Film Festival runs October 14–18, 2026, in the New York State towns of Woodstock, Saugerties, Rosendale and Kingston. For more information and the organization’s year-round event calendar, visit woodstockfilmfestival.org.
The Woodstock Film Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Gold Sponsors include ESPN Films, KLM and Gigantic Pictures. Silver Sponsors include Gray Schwartz LLP, Apple TV, gbgg productions, Netflix, Radio Woodstock, Times Union,1800 Tequila, and We Transfer.