Yes, it’s cool that Severance is filming here and available on big-time streaming services. If only there were a truly local platform, producing and streaming outstanding films by-and-for the people of the Hudson Valley. Wait, there is! It’s called HUDSY, and, if you haven’t heard of it already, you’re about to be addicted.
HUDSY’s platform features a free bundle of over 500 super high-quality locally-made films and series. It takes all of two minutes to register, then just start clicking on whatever interests you. For example:
Against the Grain, a fantastic documentary about a farmer from Gambia and his family who are growing rice successfully right here on the outskirts of Kingston where other farmers long assumed it would not be possible.
Then there’s All-American Ruins, a haunting series beginning with an exploration of the abandoned Nevele hotel in Ellenville. Other docs include Water Is Life about our beautiful river, and one about Burt’s Electronics in Kingston.
“HUDSY started with a simple idea, to create a platform that celebrates the Hudson Valley’s stories,” says Angel Gates Fonseca, director of production. “A few of us who were passionate about storytelling and community came together, and it grew from there.”
HUDSY is not just a cloud-based platform floating out there in the ether providing cool content, it’s a real community-based production space right here in Kingston at the Seven21 Media Center on Broadway.
“We accomplish our mission through our three initiatives, create, educate, and connect,” explains Laura Kandel, executive director of operations. “We create films that amplify the voices of our community, we educate the next generation of local filmmakers to tell impactful stories, and we connect with the community through our creative networking events and screenings.”
One way the educational component works is through HUDSY’s Apprenticeship Program. From April through October, five local apprentices will be paid to work from 5-10 hours per week to help produce original films. This means real film crew experience and opportunities to work with professional equipment.
The deadline for this coming season has passed, but if someone you know is seriously interested in filmmaking, keep your eyes open later in the year, this would be an excellent way to get your feet wet without going to an expensive film school.
But there are plenty of other ways to jump into a project. HUDSY is open for submissions. Anyone in the community can pitch an idea and it will be considered for production. Many area artists have taken their vision to the next level through partnering with HUDSY, Blake Pfeil, for example, whose All-American Ruins series was mentioned earlier in this article.
“I came to HUDSY with virtually zero filmmaking experience but a grandiose idea,” says Pfeil. “They took my vision and turned it into a reality that was beyond my wildest dreams. The team at HUDSY realizes the importance of storytelling as not just a tool for entertainment but a tool for building community and driving social change.”
HUDSY is especially always on the lookout for diverse voices.
“Diversity is at the core of what we’re about,” Angel Gates Fonseca says. “We’re intentional about sharing stories from different backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures, but also making sure that our team represents that. We believe real community storytelling means representing everyone, especially voices that often go unheard.”
Fonseca himself moved up from the South Bronx. He credits his upbringing with helping to form his aesthetic and define his mission.
“Storytelling was a big part of our family dynamic. Whenever we were together, the goal was to tell the most animated, entertaining, and funny story possible. It was how we bonded. As I got into filmmaking, I realized a lot of the way I tell a story is through that lens. When I moved to the Hudson Valley almost nine years ago, I quickly realized there were so many powerful stories here that deserved to be told, that’s what ultimately led me to co-found HUDSY.”
Fonseca isn’t alone in understanding the value HUDSY has brought to the community. Among the notables at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at their newly expanded studio last week was Kingston Mayor Steve Noble.
“When you think of community-minded projects, HUDSY has always been there at the forefront,” Mayor Noble says.
March 27th marks the official launch of the studio as a true community space. Once monthly, the space will be offered to area organizations to create their own productions, available on a sliding scale to make sure any organization who wants to use it will be able to.
“We want it to be a true community hub,” Fonseca says, “a place where local creators can connect, collaborate, and bring their ideas to life.”
Another community-oriented program at HUDSY is their innovative On the Mic series. Hudson Valley organizations can apply to have their events filmed by HUDSY. To hire a film team would generally cost thousands of dollars. On the Mic brings members of community organizations into the production team, then creates the video on a sliding scale basis, so even small organizations can afford a video production if they’re ready to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
Organizations and companies with bigger budgets can simply hire HUDSY to create promotional films and videos. The results are top-notch and it’s a great way to support the HUDSY mission.
For those who already have technical know-how and are looking for a facility, HUDSY makes their studio available for rental. The production studio is a multi-purpose space, featuring a “cyc” wall (no visible seams or corners) that can be used for interviews, green screen work, photoshoots, and other creative productions. They can do podcasting there too.
HUDSY also offers an ongoing series of film workshops at their studio. The next one will be Saturday April 26 from 1-4pm and will focus on the nuts and bolts of getting a film finished within a budget and on schedule. The instructors will be filmmakers Lenny Bass and Mikha Grumet. Tickets for this event are $25 but, in keeping with HUDSY’s mission, discounted tickets are available if needed.
This Thursday March 27 from 4-7pm, HUDSY is having an open house so the public can check out their new, upgraded studio. It’s a free event with a DJ, and they’re very happy for people to come network and meet others in the community.
As far as their streaming platform goes, HUDSY is eager for submissions from area filmmakers and video artists who are looking for ways to get their work out there, so more people can see it, alongside films produced by the HUDSY team.
Are there any films that Fonseca is most pleased with?
“One project I’m especially proud of is Transition. It’s a powerful story about identity, resilience, and personal growth. The film follows someone navigating a major life shift, exploring what it means to step into your truth and embrace change even when it’s difficult. We wanted to make sure we told the story with care, authenticity, and respect for the individual’s journey. The end result is something I’m really proud of, not just because of how it turned out, but because of the conversations it’s sparked and the way it’s connected with audiences.”
“If I’m being honest,” Fonseca says, “almost all of the films we’ve created, like Housing is a Human Right and Olympic Dreams and Munay Wasi, they all hold a special place in my heart, each in their own way.”
To check out the films on HUDSY’s platform and get information about all their programs, log onto their website: hudsy.org/
Join the family! 
