FERRIS 40 Brings the Hudson Valley Together for a Night of Nostalgia, Film, Music, and Celebration

Presented in Collaboration with Assembly, the Hudson Valley Film Commission, and the Woodstock Film Festival

FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF at Assembly in Kingston, NY

Photo: Noel McGrath

KINGSTON, NY (June 17, 2026) — An upstate community comprised of film lovers, music fans, and 80s enthusiasts of all ages gathered at Assembly in Kingston on Friday, June 12, for FERRIS 40, a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the 1986 classic film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Presented in collaboration with Assembly, the Hudson Valley Film Commission (HVFC), and the Woodstock Film Festival (WFF).

The three local arts organizations transformed the former Elementary school building—now music venue and events space, Assembly—in uptown Kingston into a lively tribute to one of the most iconic films of the 1980s. The evening began with a screening of the Rolling Stones short film OH YEAH!, exploring the enduring cultural impact of the Swiss electronic duo Yello and their legendary hit song “Oh Yeah,” forever linked to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and a defining soundtrack of 1980s popular culture.

After the screening, director Nick Canfield—an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work has screened at major festivals including the Woodstock Film Festival, Tribeca, and DOC NYC—shared insights into the making of the short documentary and the remarkable legacy of the song that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.

OH YEAH! at Assembly in Kingston, NY

Photo: Noel McGrath

Q&A with OH YEAH! Director Nick Canfield

Photo: Raymond Wehrli

Following the Q&A, audiences revisited director John Hughes’ timeless coming-of-age comedy on the big screen exactly 40 years after its original release. Starring Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck, Jennifer Grey, Charlie Sheen, Ben Stein, Edie McClurg, and Jeffrey Jones, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off remains one of the most beloved and influential films of its era, celebrated for its humor, heart, and unforgettable fourth-wall-breaking charm.

Throughout the evening, attendees embraced the spirit of the film by arriving in creative 1980s-inspired outfits for the Day-Off Costume Contest, posing at the Save Ferris Photo Booth, and enjoying movie-themed cocktails, mocktails, and hot dogs inspired by “Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago,” made by local café, Camp Kingston. The celebration culminated in a Twist & Shout-inspired dance party with vinyl DJ Harlan Levine, who set the tone before and after the screenings with a carefully curated vinyl soundtrack featuring music from the film and the decade it helped define.

Vinyl DJ Harlan Levine at Assembly in Kingston, NY

Photo: Noel McGrath

“This event was such a fantastic celebration of Ferris’ 40th Birthday. It was so great to present these two films together, and show Ferris fans the backstory of the iconic song ‘Oh Yeah’ and how it made its way into the movie. We also got to introduce both the eccentric band Yello and John Hughes’ work to a new audience,” said OH YEAH! director, Nick Canfield. “Thanks to WFF, HVFC, and Assembly for having me there for an excellent discussion and a fun 80s party.”

“It’s always a treat to get to highlight a specific decade in my sets and the 1980’s were such an amazing time for pop music—we heard everything from the new wave to boogie and the new romantics,” said DJ Harlan. “John Hughes films in particular did such an amazing job of putting their soundtracks front and center. It was so much fun spinning records for people who were ready to hang in Ferris’ world even after the credits rolled.”

FERRIS 40 ‘Day Off’ Costume Contest

Photo: Raymond Wehrli

“The Hudson Valley Film Commission was thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with our local arts community,” said Stacey Cormier, Hudson Valley Film Commissioner.“We truly enjoyed working together and appreciate the talent and dedication everyone brought to this project. We look forward to seeing the impact of these partnerships and exploring future opportunities to support the arts in the Hudson Valley.”

“It was a true joy to collaborate both with Assembly, one of our favorite local venues, and the Hudson Valley Film Commission, an invaluable source of support for local filmmaking which only a few years ago was a part of the Woodstock Film Festival,” said Meira Blaustein, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Woodstock Film Festival. “We hope this is only the start of many future collaborations to come, bringing our ever growing film and arts loving community together.”

Guests at the ‘Save Ferris’ Photo-booth

Photo: Noel McGrath

ABOUT ASSEMBLY

Assembly is Kingston’s premier concert venue and event space, presenting concerts, film screenings, comedy, visual arts, community events, and more. Located in Kingston’s historic Stockade District, Assembly serves as a vibrant cultural hub for the Hudson Valley.

ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY FILM COMMISSION

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to creating economic and educational opportunities throughout the region by attracting, supporting, and promoting film, television, photography, new media, and emerging technologies.

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. The 27th Annual Woodstock Film Festival takes place October 14 – 18, 2026 throughout Woodstock, Kingston, Rosendale, and Saugerties, New York.

More Photos from FERRIS40

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