Woods Hole Film Fest Preview: “Hard Twist: Through The Lens of Barbara Van Cleve

July 26, 2026

We continue our 2-episode series of conversations with filmmakers who have documentaries playing at the 35th Annual Woods Hole Film Festival in scenic Woods Hole, MA which runs from July 25 to August 1 this year.
 
In this episode, I’m talking with award-winning cinematographer and director Cynthia Matty-Huber about her film “Hard Twist: Through The Lens of Barbara Van Cleve,” which presents the life story of the famous western photographer, Barbara Van Cleve.
 
Barbara is a fifth-generation Montanan with a century of family history going back to the early 1900s. Upon their arrival in Montana, the Van Cleves began operating a guest ranch, where Barbara grew up and spent most of her summers as an adult.
 
Barbara’s story offers insight into a hardy western ranching lifestyle many have not experienced, with striking archive footage of early Montana and stunning original cinematography shot by Cynthia Matty-Huber.
 
This film is not only about Barbara’s life, but tells a story of how her family history was intertwined with the changing landscape of the West.
 

Making Media Now—which is available on all podcast platforms including YouTube–is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.
 
About the host: http://www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/

 
Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead