Let’s dive into Red PaSH’s version of a super fun mini-series that’s all about celebrating a few cool entrepreneurs! PaSH, our sister magazine is centered around sharing inspiring stories, breaking down stereotypes, and sharing the authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that make entrepreneurs so amazing, we are too. Let’s dive into, “Love and a Marriage To Jim Thorpe Indie Film Festival”.
Meet The Founders
Todd Morris is an award winning New York based commercial producer who has been working in the film business for nearly three decades. He’s also written and directed several short films and two indie features including the legendary 1996 cult film, “A Gun For Jennifer,” that has screened at dozens of festivals around the globe and can still be seen in Parisian art houses from time to time.
Jocelyn Morris is a founding member of the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival, with almost two decades of experience as a classically trained actor and filmmaker in New York City. She has showcased her work in festivals nationwide, from performing Shakespeare with The Aquila Theatre Company to taking on lead roles in feature films, producing and writing short films, and appearing in national TV commercials. As the Director of Communications for JTIFF, Jocelyn now utilizes her expertise to manage the festival’s social media content and programming.
What’s the craziest idea you’ve ever had for your business that worked?
Hosting a MIDNIGHT GRINDHOUSE section where we screen over-the-top, boundary-
pushing films. It has become a staple of our festival and we have die hard fans. It was a
risk because of the late screening time, but it has been one of our biggest successes.
Describe your brand in three emojis. Go!
Film, Exploration, Fire for passion.
What’s the most “you” thing in your workspace (bonus points if it’s quirky or unusual)?
Ha! My workspace is our dining room table. Quirky things include: kids’ school projects
in various stages of completion, dirty dishes, half-eaten pieces of toast, cold Starbucks
tea, and usually a random baseball cleat.
If your business could have its reality show, what would it be called, and what would it be about?
“THE ORGANIZERS” – It would follow the organizers and all of the ups, downs, and
dramas of putting together a festival with little to no money.
What’s one misconception people have about your industry that drives you crazy?
1 – That Film festival organizers make huge profits (LOL!) by scamming poor hapless filmmakers.
2 – That indie film festivals are merely stepping stones rather than significant events in and of themselves.
In a world full of trends, how do you keep your business authentic and true to your vision?
By always adhering to our credo of creating a space for bold fearless filmmakers who
push the envelope. We never follow trends, but draw from the community we have
created while keeping our eyes open for new filmmakers.
How do you handle competition, and what sets your business apart from others in your field?
We don’t really dwell on our competition. In fact, we collaborate with other festival
organizers, often sharing film recommendations. If we truly believe in a film, we will do
whatever we can to promote it, which often means sharing with other festivals. We also
program many more Pennsylvania Premieres than our competition. Most of our features
come directly to JTIFF after premiering at the biggest A-list festivals like Sundance,
SXSW, Toronto and Cannes.
What is one lesson you’ve learned through your entrepreneurial journey that you think everyone should know?
Flexibility is crucial. It is important to have a vision, but you must be prepared to adapt
when challenges arise. Ending a professional relationship can be necessary for the
betterment of the project. Always treat everyone involved with respect, remember their
names, and make sure to thank them frequently for their contributions.
For more details on Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival, go to: Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival
Red PaSH Magazine is a lifestyle publication. Our slogan is “all your tiny obsessions.” We are strong advocates of self-love, self-care, body positivity and supporting minorities, especially women, people of color and communities not highlighted in mainstream media. Please send pitches to southernpashmag@gmail.com. Please note that we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase anything from a link we have provided, we may receive a small commission. This money is used to help support our efforts at PaSH Inc. Check out our sister magazine, PaSH Magazine and exploregeorgianow.com.
