The Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (JTIFF) returns May 1-4 for it’s 8th spectacular season. Nestled in the charming Victorian town of Jim Thorpe, this 4-day cinema & music event boasts 10 new first-run features and 80 short films from around the world, along with sensational live music shows courtesy of our music partner, GREAT CIRCLES of Philadelphia.
JTIFF kicks off Thursday night May 1st, with a live performance by a special musical guest brought to you by GREAT CIRCLES. After the music, we’ll kill the lights and roll our surprise Opening Night Feature! Keep checking our website and social media pages in the coming weeks for updates!
HERE’S A QUICK SAMPLING OF OUR FEATURE FILM LINE UP SO FAR:
40 ACRES
Directed by R.T. Thorne
Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in Canada after the Civil War. In a famine-decimated near future, they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres. World Premiere at TIFF 2024. US Premiere at SXSW 2025.
CROCODILE TEARS
Directed by Tumpal Tampubolon
In this slow burning suspense thriller, an overbearing mother who lives with her son on a secluded crocodile farm spirals out of control when her son sees the outside world for the first time and falls in love with a girl. World Premiere TIFF 2024.
BROTHER VERSES BROTHER
Directed by Ari Gold
A groundbreaking live-cinema experiment and deeply personal family odyssey. Shot in one continuous take through the streets of San Francisco, the film follows estranged twin brothers—both musicians—on a desperate search for their dying father. A radical fusion of poetry, music, and improvisation, this is storytelling without a safety net. Executive Produced by Francis Ford Coppola. World Premiere at SXSW 2025.
SISTER MIDNIGHT
Directed by Karan Kandhari
A bold, genre-bending dark comedy about a newlywed bride who transforms into a disturbing feral figure in late night Bombay. World Premiere at TIFF 2024; Nominated for a BAFTA Award; Winner Best Feature at Fantastic Fest 2024.
IN THE MOUTH
Directed by Cory Santilli
In this quirky dark comedy, a perpetual worrywart finds himself unable to leave his house after discovering a giant version of himself protruding from his front lawn. World Premiere at Slamdance 2025.
NEW JACK FURY
Directed by Lanfia Wal
Set in a stylized 1980’s landscape, this over-the-top action / comedy follows an ex-cop, a petty thief, and a moonwalking misfit as they take on a criminal syndicate to save the woman they love. A hilarious homage to 80’s Blaxploitation films, synth soundtracks, and comic-book flair, New Jack Fury is pure adrenaline with heart.
World Premiere at SXSW 2025.
Writer / Director Lanfia Wal will be in attendance for a live Q&A.
F**KTOYS
Written & Directed by Annapurna Sriram
Winner of the SXSW 2025 Special Jury Award for Narrative Feature. Shot on 16mm and set in a surreal alternate universe, this irreverent dark comedy follows a cursed young woman trying to lift a curse while navigating the underbelly of Trashtown. A hallucinatory blend of humor, horror, and feminist commentary, F**ktoys is a bold and unforgettable debut.
Writer / Director / Star Annapurna Sriram will be in attendance for a live Q&A.
GRINDHOUSE BLOCK – SATURDAY 5/3 @ MIDNIGHT:
MEAT MACHINE *
Directed by Jeffrey Garcia
An atomic bomb is about to be dropped on a small Texas town inhabited by compulsive gambler Lee Harvey Oswald (no relation), his platonic nymphomaniac roommate, Natty the nympho, teenage sweethearts Babycakes and Junior High, and other equally unhinged residents all while notorious mad scientist, Dr. Calypso, races against time to save the town from nuclear annihilation. Grindhouse master Jeffrey Garcia returns from Saint Marcos, Texas with his third outrageously offensive feature. * No one admitted under 18.
Beyond our features, don’t forget the 80 amazing short films from around the world that make up the bulk of our program. And despite our international flavor, JTIFF continues to encourage talent from our own back yard to take part in the festival. This year, our efforts have really paid off as the films we’re presenting in both the PA STUDENT FILM block on Saturday and the LOCAL HEROES block on Sunday are the best we’ve seen since the festival began.
Finally, we are humbled by the dozens of filmmakers who will be travelling great distances to screen their films at JTIFF. Some will be coming from as far away as Texas and Los Angeles. And anyone who buys a ticket will have the opportunity to meet these talented artists face-to-face and talk movies between screenings or over a drink at our festival parties.
Speaking of parties, don’t miss our fabulous FILMMAKERS GALA Friday 5/2 @ 9:00pm, which will, once again, be held at the cavernous Mauch Chunk Ballroom, (41 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe), located just steps away from our main screening venue. Starting at 9:00pm, we’ll begin with a laid-back lounge vibe, with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres as LUMINOUS ABSTRACT transforms the Victorian ballroom into a surrealist dreamscape, painting the space with 3D imagery and light, while special guests DANI LONG LEGS AND THE ECLECTIC CIRCUS entertain us with carnival stunts and wizardry. Then we shift gears into a full-on dance party with the help of Great Circles’ Philly DJ’s who will be spinning soul-shaking beats into the wee hours.
In addition to the FILMMAKERS GALA, we’d like to give a big ‘thank you’ to Marion Hose Bar (16 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe) for hosting our OPENING NIGHT AFTERPARTY. And for the 4th straight year, our CLOSING NIGHT WRAP PARTY will be held at OUROS, 70 Broadway, Jim Thorpe. Sunday 4/21 right after the Awards Ceremony.
Get your Tickets now for the 8th Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival and get ready for an unforgettable 4-day experience of movies, music, parties and art. We’ll see you on the Red Carpet!
For Tickets, Schedule, Film descriptions, updates and more, go to: JimThorpeIndieFilmFest.com
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