Based in Washington DC, one of Jon’s first short film projects, Cyberslut (2001), took the festival circuit by storm, playing over 60 festivals around the world - yet here’s a man who has claimed he’s not a great filmmaker! 

Jon takes pride in connecting people and being a problem solver. After his own disheartening experiences of film festivals, Jon started the DC Shorts Film Festival in 2003 which was a huge success, becoming the largest short-film festival in the US. Jon has since consulted on festivals around the world, such as the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival here in the UK. He is also the author of two books, “Behind the Screens: Programmers Reveal How Film Festivals Really Work” (2012) and “So You Wanna Start a Film Festival” (2015) - if you like what you hear, go check them out! For now, let’s launch into episode 1 of this filmmaker’s stories…

In this episode Jon talks about:

• Advice for students and aspiring filmmakers on knowing your audience
• Navigating film festivals and discovering their niche. 
• Understanding why your film may not be getting into festivals.
• The importance of networking at festivals; virtual and in-person.
• The importance of virtual festivals or film events.
• Where film festivals fit into today’s climate.
• The future of hybrid industry events.
• Changes to the VOD landscape.

You can find Jon Gann on:

Instagram: @jonganndc

Twitter: @jongann

IMDB: https://imdb.to/3mcSWhA 

Vimeo: https://imdb.to/3v77l3j  

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About a Podcast Host:

Podcast provided by: JB Audio Post Production

Instagram: @jbaudiopostproduction, @mrsupersonic

Facebook: @jbaudiopostproduction

Email: podcast@jbaudiopostproduction.co.uk 

Podcast music by @butesounds

Produced by Georgia Johnson and Ross Ramsey Golding.

Must watch films recommended by Jon Gann: 

Click here to watch the full reviews by Jon on the following films

Auntie Mame (1958) - https://imdb.to/2TXrV9x   

Big Night (1996) - https://imdb.to/3xanM07  

Carrie (1996) - https://imdb.to/2RG6KrH  

Soapdish (1991) - https://imdb.to/3vesAQO    

Yes Nurse! No Nurse! (2002) - https://imdb.to/2SfNnpX