Attention all movie and music fanatics! The 6th Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (JTIFF) returns April 20 through the 23rd, 2023! Nestled in the charming Victorian town of Jim Thorpe, this cinematic and musical event boasts nine brand new first-run features, eight blocks of short films, live Audio/Visual Performances along with sensational music courtesy of our partner, Philadelphia’s Great Circles music collective who will be livestreaming all the live music and A/V shows to their audience around the world.
Kicking off the festival Thursday, April 20th, we are thrilled to present our Opening Night musical act, Lady HD – a phenomenal Funk and Psychedelic band conceived by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ciaran Wall. The group’s sound draws from a mix of genres ranging from Ciaran’s Peruvian roots and Trip Hop / Philly Soul influences, all mixed together for a fusion he calls “Fuzz Funk.” Performing alongside the band will be one of Great Circle’s amazing video artists who will add a stream of mind-bending imagery and light to the music.
Speaking of mind-bending imagery, once the band exits the stage, we’ll kill the lights for our opening night feature, Divinity, Executive Produced by iconic director Steven Soderbergh and directed by visionary artist Eddie Alcazar. Set in an otherworldly human existence, this retro sci-fi stunner had its World Premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and stars Scott Bakula, Stephen Dorff, Bella Thorne and the controversial Emily Willis. JTIFF’s Opening Night Screening marks its Pennsylvania premiere.
Friday, our program continues with an eclectic mix of brand-new cinematic gems like Starring Jerry As Himself, directed by Law Chen. A family documents how their immigrant father Jerry, a recently retired Florida man, was recruited by the Chinese police to be an undercover agent, only to discover a darker truth. This film had its World Premiere at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival and took home the Grand Jury Prize, the Audience Award, and the Best Actor Award for the film’s star, Jerry Hsu.
Next up, prepare to laugh your heart out with I Like Movies directed by Chandler Levack, a quirky Canadian coming-of-age comedy that harkens back to the simpler era of the early 2,000’s. Lawrence, a socially inept 17-year-old cinephile, who gets a job at a video store where he forms a complicated friendship with his older female manager.
If you prefer darker films from a female perspective, don’t miss Birth/Rebirth directed by Laura Moss. It’s a psychological horror tale about motherhood and creation, inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The film is centered around a single mother and a childless morgue technician who are bound together by their relationship to a re-animated little girl. The film just premiered to rave reviews at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and JTIFF is proud to be the first to screen it in Pennsylvania.
And from the maniacs who won Best Comedy for Lake Michigan Monster at JTIFF 2020, comes Hundreds Of Beavers, directed by Mike Cheslik. It’s a 19th century, black & white, no dialogue, supernatural Winter epic that we think both Tex Avery and Charlie Chaplin would be proud of. A drunken applejack salesman (played by physical comedy genius, Ryland Brickson Cole Tews), must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating a hoard of giant beavers. Film Threat’s Michael Talbot-Hayne calls it “an unexpected visionary work that will rip you a new perspective on classic cinematic art. It’s exciting in ways you cannot imagine and must be seen to be believed.”
And for a totally different take on Mary Shelley’s work, check out The Angry Black Girl And Her Monster written and directed by Bomani J. Story, an evocative tale of a young girl named Vicaria who embarks on a dangerous journey to bring her brother back to life after his brutal murder. This critically acclaimed feature just premiered last month at SXSW, and for our Saturday night screening, we are honored to have writer/director Bomani J. Story, himself, flying in from Los Angeles to present his film to our JTIFF audience for its Pennsylvania Premiere!
Next up – brace yourself for 8 Found Dead directed by Travis Greene, a heart-pounding thriller about two LA couples who escape for a relaxing weekend getaway in the desert, only to discover that their AirB&B is already occupied. The film won Best Picture and Best Director at Screamfest LA 2022 and HorrorBuzz called it “A Savagely Entertaining Movie!”
And if you’re looking for a family-friendly flick, don’t miss Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Kinda Feel Left Out, directed by Jake Van Wagoner. Miserable after her family moves to a small town, Itsy, an aspiring teenage journalist, befriends Calvin, her strange, space-obsessed neighbor who believes his parents were abducted by aliens. This film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and boasts a 92 on Rotten Tomatoes. It also has zero adult content which makes it the perfect choice for a Sunday afternoon movie with the kids.
And on Sunday at 5:00pm, JTIFF is honored to host members of the Lenapi tribe for a screening of their short documentary, Keepers Of The Way, directed by Evan Cohen. This intimate portrait, told through the eyes of Lenape tribal leaders in Pennsylvania, documents a challenging spiritual journey unfolding to heal past wounds and keep their culture alive. After the film, Lenape tribe members will take to the stage to discuss the film with the audience.
Our Closing Night Feature, Deadland, is a tight, metaphysical border noir directed by Lance Larson that just premiered last month at SXSW. Angel Waters, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent, apprehends a mysterious stranger who claims to be his long dead father. The events that follow will haunt Angel and his family forever. Another PA Premiere and a remarkable film to close out the festival.
And don’t forget the 75 amazing short films from around the world that make up the bulk of our program. And despite our international flavor, JTIFF continues to encourage local talent from our own back yard to create and take part in the festival. And 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.
And of course, on Saturday 4/22 at Midnight, we’ll be bringing back our notorious Grindhouse block – two bloody hour’s of the most shocking and gloriously offensive short films collected from around the globe. As usual, no one under 18 will be admitted to the Grindhouse block.
Finally, we are humbled by the dozens of filmmakers who will be travelling from all over the country to screen their work here in Jim Thorpe. These directors will be coming from as far away as Los Angeles and Chicago and will meet and mix with our regular JTIFF alums like Wesley Mellott, Vernard James, Graham Burrell and Michelle Gallagher. And anyone who buys a ticket will have the opportunity to meet these artists face to face and talk movies between screenings or over a drink at our festival parties.
And speaking of parties, we are excited to announce that this year’s fabulous Filmmakers Gala will be held Friday night 4/21 at the magnificent Mauch Chunk Ballroom, (41 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe), located just steps away from the Mauch Chunk Opera House, our main screening venue. At 9:00pm, right after Birth/Rebirth, we’ll ease into the evening with a cool lounge vibe, with drinks, conversation and passed hors d’oeuvres as brilliant video and lighting artist, Nico Dominguez, transforms the Victorian ballroom into surrealist dreamscape, painting the space with 3D imagery and light. Then we shift gears into a full-on dance party with the help of incredible Great Circles’ DJ Merlot from Philly who will be spinning her own brand of 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, PA) for hosting our Opening Night Afterparty. And stay tuned for info about our Closing Night Wrap Party happening Sunday 4/23 after the Awards Ceremony.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your Tickets now for the 6th Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival and get ready for an unforgettable 4-day event of movies, music, parties and art! We’ll see you on the Red Carpet!
For tickets and more info, go to: jimthorpeindiefilmfest.com
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