Meet Todd & Jocelyn Morris, Founders Of Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival In Pennsylvania
Interview with Todd and Jocelyn Morris, Founders of Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival
Editor’s note: Staten Islander News previously covered the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival with 9 new first-run features and 75 short films.
Cindy Mich interviewed these two founders recently:
CM: Nice to meet you, Todd and Jocelyn. Please introduce yourselves to our readers.
J: Hey there, I am Jocelyn O’Neil Morris, a former actress turned filmmaker, and one of the founders of the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival. I feel that my background in acting has sharpened my eye for the creative and logistical aspects of theater and film production, which has been invaluable in organizing and curating our festival.
T: I am Todd, also a founder of the festival and an award-winning indie film director and commercial producer. I run a production company called Search & Destroy Media, which produces commercials globally for brands like Honda, Driscoll’s, Exxon, and CVS. My thirty+ years in production has equipped me with all the tools needed to produce a top-tier festival. This includes duties such as curating the latest films to handling all the production and marketing details.
CM: Jocelyn, please speak more about your career as an actress, and also, are there elements of that occupation that assist you in being a better Festival Founder?
J:Absolutely. My acting career, particularly my focus on the classics, has taught me the fundamentals of good storytelling and script recognition. This insight helps me spot gems in the rough in low-budget films that may not have the polish and flash of bigger films. Also, having produced my own films and taken them through the festival circuit myself has given me a unique perspective and an empathetic view when programming and collaborating with filmmakers of every level.
CM: Todd, I note that one of your professional titles is producer. Could you share with us some of the reasons that you gravitate towards being in production? Further, how do you view the role of producer as it relates to others on set, such as the director?
T: As a producer, I am drawn to the challenge of assembling the best team and the best tools for the job, solving problems – creatively, logistically, and budgetarily – across all areas of a project. My role is to support the director’s vision and help them achieve the highest quality while ensuring that the production stays on schedule and under budget. It is all about balancing creative desires with practical limitations, which is a skill that translates well to running a successful festival.
CM: You are both the Founders of the JTIFF. Tell us your main motivation behind starting this event. How is your festival different from others in the Pennsylvania area?
T: We were inspired to create a platform for bold, audacious filmmakers willing to take risks. Our festival is unique in our region for its commitment to presenting the latest cutting-edge international films – many of which come to JTIFF directly from premiering at A-list festivals like Sundance, SXSW, and Toronto. We are very proud that the majority of our films are Pennsylvania premieres. We also take pride in having the Poconos mountains as our backdrop and, of course, our historic Victorian town of Jim Thorpe, which attracts millions of visitors every year. All of these things make our festival a cut above.
CM: As to the venue, you folks chose an incredibly elegant and enchanting spot. Discuss your process behind picking an opera house to hold the festival. Also, will this stay your long-term location?
J: The Mauch Chunk Opera House is truly the heart of our festival. Its historic grandeur, charm, and excellent acoustics make it a wonderful venue for our festival. Even if the festival grows to the point where we need multiple screening venues, the Mauch Chunk Opera House will always be the heart and soul of our festival.
T: Back in 1991, when I first discovered Jim Thorpe, I was immediately struck by the charm and character of this historic picturesque town. After seeing the circa 1881 Mauch Chunk Opera House, I just knew it would be the perfect place for a film festival. Twenty-six years later, we took the plunge and made that vision a reality.
CM: This year’s festival is taking place from May 1-4, 2025, and you are still taking submissions. What are your goals for this year’s gala event?
J: Yes, we are accepting film submissions until March 28th, 2025: The 8th Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival – FilmFreeway We recommend submitting early if possible.
T: Regarding the Gala – last year’s event was a big success. We had The Eclectic Circus performing live throughout the event, Luminous Abstract presented a phenomenal light display, and Great Circles, our music partners, brought an incredible DJ from Philly who kept the bodies moving into the wee hours. Additionally, Pocono TV provided live media coverage. We aim to top that this year and create a fantastic party atmosphere all to enjoy.
CM: There are some filmmakers that doubt the importance of film festivals in existence today, as well as their offerings. How would you respond to that?
J: Our festival has proven to be an important platform for filmmakers to connect, network, and showcase their work on a big screen with an enthusiastic live audience. It also provides an opportunity for engaging Q&A sessions with our audience and other filmmakers. For our audience, it is a chance to see great art and meet artists they would not have access to otherwise. It also introduces our local youth to the possibilities of a career in film and media. Many filmmakers from past festivals have told us about the wonderful experiences they have had here and the connections made, both professionally and socially. It is worth noting that most of our filmmakers keep coming back with their latest projects and spread the word about JTIFF to their friends and colleagues. All that makes it clear that film festivals are indeed worthwhile and important.
CM: To wrap up, outside of the festival, what can we expect to see from you both professionally in 2025?
T: My company, Search & Destroy Media, is definitely growing, and I will be spending a lot of time overseas this year on larger commercial projects. I am about to leave for a week-long pharma project in Mexico City, followed by a two-week doc-style project throughout New Mexico for Chevron. And of course, I am also focused on nurturing the steady growth of JTIFF.
J: I am continuously working on developing the festival, and we might even add more days next year. Also, I intend to start working on a horror/documentary project exploring the true story of a family’s tragic downfall over the span of a few months.
More details on Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival can be found here: Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival
Founders of JTIFF Jocelyn and Todd Morris. Image Credit – Cindy Mich
Jim Thorpe International Film Festival members. Image Credit – Cindy Mich
Banner Image: Jim Thorpe International Film Festival members. Image Credit – Cindy Mich
Cindy Mich
Cindy Mich is an award-winning journalist/media personality who is also a filmmaker and Founder of the independent film festival, Art is Alive, now in its seventh year. Her total listening audience is at 205,000 to date. In print, she currently contributes to various digital publications, along with having owned and operated her own publication, The Art is Alive Magazine. After eight issues, her readership was at 78,000. She performs the duties of a professional film judge, having screened over 800 films in the last few years - along with covering various film festivals as accredited media. Further, she has taught in both the public and private sector. In 2023, Cindy is adding a distribution arm to her film festival, and soon will be releasing her made for television series on medical misdiagnosis, Hurt by Healthcare.
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