81. Film: A Tool for Activism.
Jon Fitzgerald
March 1, 2018
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As the founder of Cause Cinema, award-winning filmmaker Jon Fitzgerald is one of the biggest voices in social impact film production. He is also one of the founders of the Slamdance Film Festival. In today’s episode, we explore current trends in the film industry, and reveal why film is a powerful medium for social commentary and action. Jon also talks about why he started the Slamdance Film Festival, and breaks down the practical side of filmmaking.
Topics include:
Advice for aspiring filmmakers and the importance of resourcefulness
Translating and actualizing a film’s activism into something more actionable
Film as inspiration (even through darker subject matter)
Distribution, funding, production, and target audiences
The role of film in social commentary (and the range of topics that can be covered)
Jon’s move to American Film Institute (and the reasons for the change)
Jon’s take on enduring trends in film and festivals
A little about Jon’s book Filmmaking for Change
Cause Cinema Founder Jon Fitzgerald has twenty years of experience in the independent film, Internet, and film festival communities. He is a rare leader with a unique combination of skills. As a filmmaker with Cause Pictures, he has produced a number of award winning documentaries; and as a consultant, he has guided many independent film projects through the maze of festivals and hybrid distribution models.
As a co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival (1995), he led the event the next two seasons before being named the Festival Director for the prestigious AFI Film Festival in 1997. After running AFI Fest for three years (1997-1999), he created a consulting business, guiding the launch of numerous film festivals (Bahamas, Lone Star, Orlando), directing many (Santa Barbara, Topanga Abu Dhabi, South Bay, Naples), and consulting to dozens more.
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