(re)Search my Trash

<body> <div align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="800" cellpadding="0" height="100%"> <tr> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/square.gif" valign="top">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="592" height="1%" valign="top"> <p align="center">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/squareright.gif" valign="top">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="99%">  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="385" align="right"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/JTIFF-banner.jpg" width="380" height="235"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>You're organizing the <i>Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival </i>- so in a few words, what can you tell us about the event as such, and the philosophy behind it?</b><p> <p>Absolutely! The <i>Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i> (<i>JTIFF</i>) is a lively four-day event that brings some of the world's most exciting and challenging films to Pennsylvania. It's more than just a film festival; it's a dynamic event that captures the bold spirit of the Molly Maguires, pushing the boundaries of traditional filmmaking to spark lively discussions. We're all about keeping "eyes and minds wide open," and we aim to provide a welcoming space for all kinds of films.</p><p> </p> <p>Every year, we feature films that are having their Pennsylvania premieres, fresh from big international festivals like <i>Sundance</i>, <i>Slamdance</i> and <i>TIFF</i>. In the past seven years, <i> JTIFF</i> has shown hundreds of films and welcomed famous talents, with highlights including Ethan Hawke’s <b>Blaze</b> and <b>Divinity</b>, a sci-fi epic executive produced by Steven Soderbergh.</p><p> </p><p>But <i> JTIFF</i> isn't just about films; we mix in amazing live music too, creating a truly immersive cultural experience that celebrates independent cinema in a unique way.</p><p> </p><p><b>How did the <i>Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i> come into being in the first place, and what can you tell us about its early days and evolution?</b><p> <p>The <i> Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i> (<i>JTIFF</i>) originated when our executive director, Todd Morris, visited Jim Thorpe in 1991. Struck by the town's historic charm, Todd envisioned it as an ideal location for a film festival. In 2017, he and his partner Jocelyn O’Neil, who brought her own extensive experience in theater and film, launched <i> JTIFF</i> without any initial funding or sponsors.</p><p> </p><p>Despite some initial skepticism from local businesses and the broader community, the festival quickly gained momentum. It expanded rapidly, attracting filmmakers and audiences from around the globe who were excited to experience our diverse and boundary-challenging cinema in the stunning historical setting of Jim Thorpe.</p> <p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="455" align="left"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/JTIFF-1.jpg" width="450" height="307"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>Some of your festival highlights over the years?</b><p>  <p>Over the years, the <i>Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i> (<i>JTIFF</i>) has proudly showcased a diverse array of standout films. Notably, in 2024, we were thrilled to host the Pennsylvania premieres of <b>Ghostlight</b>, a heartfelt drama celebrated at <i>Sundance</i>, and Nicole Riegel’s <b>Dandelion</b>, which debuted at <i>SXSW</i>.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our opening nights are vibrant, featuring live music from our partner <i>Great Circles</i> and performances by <i>Eraserhood Sound</i>'s <i>Stereo League</i>, enhanced by visual projections from <i>Luminous Abstract</i>.</p> <p> </p> <p>This mix of film and music creates a unique and memorable experience at <i>JTIFF</i> each year, highlighting our commitment to bringing premiere, top-quality films to Pennsylvania.</p><p> <p><b>Do talk about this year's <i>Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i>, like when it's on and what's planned already?</b><p>  <p>This year's <i> Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i> is scheduled for May 1-4, 2025, at the historic <i> Mauch Chunk Opera House</i> in the heart of Jim Thorpe, PA. As we grow each year, our eighth festival promises to be bigger than all previous festivals. With our rising popularity, we plan to ramp up the parties and expect full houses for most screenings.</p><p> </p> <p>We're committed to continuing our tradition of presenting first-run features fresh from top festivals, and attendees can look forward to a lineup of fantastic films paired with vibrant live music performances.</p> <p>We're planning to enhance the festival atmosphere by expanding our famous grindhouse screenings, which take place at midnight on Saturday. These screenings will offer a more immersive experience, featuring a collection of the boldest and most provocative films in our lineup. We are currently developing new ideas for the grindhouse section, and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve got planned!</p> <p> <p><b>Now how do filmmakers submit to your festival, and what are some of the aspects in a film you're looking for when deciding on accepting a movie?</b><p>  <p>Filmmakers can submit their films to our festival via <i>FilmFreeway</i>. Please use this link to access our submission page: <b><a href="https://filmfreeway.com/JimThorpeIndependentFilmFestival" target="_blank">https://filmfreeway.com/JimThorpeIndependentFilmFestival</a></b></p> <p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="455" align="left"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/JTIFF-2.jpg" width="450" height="285"></td> </tr> </table> <p>When it comes to selecting films, we love stories that are offbeat, surprising, and even controversial. We’re genre-heavy but ensure to represent every genre, including children’s films. The quality of the script is paramount—a well-crafted script can make up for other areas that might lack due to budget constraints.</p> <p>We appreciate compelling storytelling and strong performances from talented actors regardless of their fame. Clear editing that helps convey the story effectively is crucial. We have often selected films where the production values were limited by budget, but the originality of the story and excellence in acting and directing were evident. Our goal is to feature films that not only are well-made but also bring unique stories and perspectives, enhancing the diversity of our festival lineup and encouraging conversations.</p><p> <p><b>Judging from your fest's title, I'm making a wild guess and claim you're into independent films - so what makes you champion this psrticular style of filmmaking?</b><p>  <p>We really get behind independent filmmaking at the <i> Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i> because it fits so well with the energy of our community here in Jim Thorpe, also known as Coal County or Carbon County. The stunning natural beauty around us and the lively music scene at the <i> Mauch Chunk Opera House</i> set the perfect stage, yet there's been limited access to the wide variety of indie films out there. These films bring fresh ideas and unique, personal perspectives, which are just right for our setting. They dive into daring, controversial topics, try out new filmmaking methods, and share stories that you don't usually see in mainstream movies.</p><p> </p><p>This really matches the spirit of the Molly Maguires, known for their resilience and defiance, which is a big part of what our festival is all about. By showcasing independent films in Jim Thorpe, we're not just giving these unique stories a place to shine; we're also enriching our town's culture, bringing films that mirror and celebrate the strong spirit of our community.</p> <p> <p><b>Filmmakers who inspire you, both indie and other?</b><p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="455" align="right"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/JTIFF-3.jpg" width="450" height="302"></td> </tr> </table> <p>There are so many filmmakers who inspire us! Some of our favorites include directors like John Cassavetes, Jane Campion, Denis Villeneuve, Sergio Leone, Sam Peckinpah, Frank Capra and Stanley Kubrick. Each of these directors brings something unique to the table. They inspire us by showing what’s possible when you combine a unique vision with skillful execution.<p> <p><b>Your favourite movies?</b><p>  <p>That's always a tough question because our tastes are so varied, ranging from blockbuster popcorn flicks to experimental and brand-new films. But since we’re just coming off the holiday season, one film that’s particularly fresh in our mind is Frank Capra's <b>It’s a Wonderful Life</b>. It's a film we return to every year and continue to marvel at how timeless it is and how deeply it resonates, especially as we grow older.</p> <p>When we lived in New York, we had the chance to see it on the big screen—a whole different and richer experience. Even though everyone knows the story, watching it in a theater is like hearing it for the first time. Laughing together with an audience at parts we’ve always found funny really reinforces the idea that films ideally should be experienced collectively.</p><p> </p> <p>And, this highlights why we love what we do at the <i>Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i>. Films are meant to be a shared experience—they bring people together and create a sense of community. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to bring this experience to the people of Jim Thorpe, fostering a space where everyone can come together to enjoy and reflect on cinema.</p><p> <p><b>Your/your festival's website, social media, whatever else?</b><p>  <p>We'd love to have you follow us and join our community! For all the details about the <i> Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival</i>, check out our website at <a href="http://www.jimthorpeindiefilmfest.com/" target="_blank"><b>www.jimthorpeindiefilmfest.com</b></a>. Follow us on social media! You can find us on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jimthorpeindiefilmfestival/" target="_blank"><b>https://www.instagram.com/jimthorpeindiefilmfestival/</b></a> and Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jimthorpeindiefilmfestival/" target="_blank"><b>https://www.facebook.com/jimthorpeindiefilmfestival/</b></a>.</p> <p> <p><b>Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?</b><p> <p>Just that we're thrilled for what 2025 will bring and can't wait to see everyone at the festival. It's going to be an exciting year, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with film lovers and our filmmakers!<p> <p><b>Thanks for the interview!</b><p>  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="1%">  <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> currentyear = "2010"; </SCRIPT> <SCRIPT language="JavaScript" src="../scripts/endcreditsart.js"></SCRIPT> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> dosworsdonn(); </SCRIPT> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>