Editor

LAUNCH OF THE JACKSON HOLE FILM INSTITUTE
CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITY AND RESOURCES FOR THE INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER

The independent filmmaker has gained a new ally in the pursuit of expanding and growing the art of independent film through the formation of the Jackson Hole Film Institute (JHFI). This nonprofit cultural organization has been created to empower the independent filmmaker. The JHFI strives to inspire a global audience through the cultivation and education of film, the business of film and the cinematic arts. This creative organization will accomplish these goals through a variety of innovative programs for both students and filmmakers.

Included in the umbrella organization of JHFI is The Jackson Hole Film Festival, which launched this September, and is a competitive film festival to be held every year, beginning this June 2005. The festival will showcase feature length and short films from around the world. In addition to panel discussions, screenings and world class events, the JHFF will be the launching pad for four other ground breaking programs, The World Program, The Global Awareness Program, The Student Program and the JHFF Sports Action program.

The JHFF World Program, sponsored by Rosemount Estate launched in September and will highlight different cultures around the world, striving to reach a global audience under the ideals of the JHFI. The World Program will highlight films from a different region of the world every year beginning with a competitive Australian film program during the June 2005 event. Rosemount and the JHFF will be in Los Angeles and Sydney early in 2005 to discuss this ground breaking event with filmmakers and press.


The Global Awareness Program promotes humanitarian and environmental issues by screening films that address these concerns. The program will unite these films with speakers and charitable organizations with the goal of education and inspiring audiences into action.

The Student Program will highlight graduate film student work from around the world. JHFI is in the process of creating essential relationships with university film programs to create a network of communication and opportunity for graduate film students.

The Sports/Action programming of the JHFF festival was also launched this September. This niche industry will be supported by the tradition of Jackson as an extreme sports community. Under the direction of the JHFI and the JHFF, the sports/action genre will be able to move toward more innovative films rich in depth and cinematography.

The board of directors for the Jackson Hole Film Institute is comprised of individuals from the entertainment community with close ties to the beautiful Jackson Hole area. The board of director’s mission is to move the independent filmmaker to new heights of artistic achievement. The distinguished individuals on the board include: Founders, Co-Presidents and Executive Directors Eben Dorros (established music composer for film and media) and Lorne Maltenfort (distinguished corporate and entertainment lawyer) along with Board Directors David O’Connor (partner and Managing Director of Creative Artists Agency), J.J. Healy (a former senior executive at Yahoo! Inc), Nancy Sanders (Director of Sanders-Armstrong management), Bard Dorros (literary manager), James Le Gros (distinguished actor), Gavin Fine (Jackson Hole restaurateur), Peter Nichols (distinguished entertainment lawyer), Chris Hansen (free lance journalist and marketing manager for the Center for the Arts in Jackson Hole) and Marc Hirschfield (restaurateur and Board Member of the Community Center for the Arts in Jackson Hole).