|
You're organizing the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival -
so in a few words, what can you tell us about the event as such, and the
philosophy behind it? Absolutely!
The Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (JTIFF) 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.
Every year, we feature films that are having their Pennsylvania premieres,
fresh from big international festivals like Sundance, Slamdance
and TIFF. In the past seven years, JTIFF has shown hundreds of films and
welcomed famous talents, with highlights including Ethan Hawke’s
Blaze and Divinity, a sci-fi epic executive
produced by Steven Soderbergh. But
JTIFF 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. How did the Jim Thorpe
Independent Film Festival come into being in the first place, and what
can you tell us about its early days and evolution? The
Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (JTIFF) 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 JTIFF without
any initial funding or sponsors. 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.
Some of your festival highlights over the years?
Over the years, the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (JTIFF) has proudly
showcased a diverse array of standout films. Notably, in 2024, we were
thrilled to host the Pennsylvania premieres of Ghostlight, a
heartfelt drama celebrated at Sundance, and Nicole Riegel’s
Dandelion, which debuted at SXSW.
Our opening nights are vibrant, featuring live music from our partner
Great Circles and performances by Eraserhood Sound's Stereo
League, enhanced by visual projections from Luminous Abstract.
This mix of film and music creates a unique and memorable experience at JTIFF
each year, highlighting our commitment to bringing premiere, top-quality
films to Pennsylvania. Do talk about this year's Jim Thorpe
Independent Film Festival, like when it's on and what's planned already?
This year's Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival is scheduled for May 1-4,
2025, at the historic Mauch Chunk Opera House 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.
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.
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!
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?
Filmmakers can submit their films to our festival via FilmFreeway. Please use this link to access our submission page:
https://filmfreeway.com/JimThorpeIndependentFilmFestival
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.
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. 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?
We really get behind independent filmmaking at the Jim Thorpe Independent
Film Festival 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
Mauch Chunk Opera House 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. 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.
Filmmakers who inspire you, both indie and other?
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. Your favourite movies?
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 It’s a Wonderful
Life. 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.
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.
And, this highlights why we love what we do at the Jim Thorpe Independent
Film Festival. 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. Your/your
festival's website, social media, whatever else?
We'd love to have you follow us and join our community! For
all the details about the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival, check
out our website at www.jimthorpeindiefilmfest.com.
Follow us on social media! You can find us on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/jimthorpeindiefilmfestival/ and Facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/jimthorpeindiefilmfestival/.
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? 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! Thanks
for the interview!
|
