FOUNDER BIO
Founder and Chief Consultant Jon Fitzgerald has over twenty-five years of experience in the independent film, internet and film festival communities, and is a leader with a unique combination of skills.
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 making unprecedented improvements to the prestige, scope and revenue of for three years (1997-1999), he began advising on 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.
In addition to working with film festivals, Fitzgerald has guided hundreds of filmmakers through the maze of the Festival Circuit, as well as advised on distribution strategies.
As a filmmaker with Cause Pictures, he has produced and directed a number of award winning documentaries, winning multiple awards on the festival circuit. His experience as both filmmaker and film festival director provides a unique and comprehensive perspective.
In 2012, he authored his first book, Filmmaking for Change: Make Films that Transform the World. The 2nd Edition was released in October of 2017. For more info on the book, click here. This book has been used to lead discussions in classrooms and for curriculum in filmmaking courses.
In 2019, he authored his second book, Habits of Heroes: 100 Movies That Will Change Your Life. For more info on the book, click here:
Fitzgerald has written numerous articles on film festivals, production and distribution, as well as participated as a panelist, moderator and juror for many industry events.
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 making unprecedented improvements to the prestige, scope and revenue of for three years (1997-1999), he began advising on 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.
In addition to working with film festivals, Fitzgerald has guided hundreds of filmmakers through the maze of the Festival Circuit, as well as advised on distribution strategies.
As a filmmaker with Cause Pictures, he has produced and directed a number of award winning documentaries, winning multiple awards on the festival circuit. His experience as both filmmaker and film festival director provides a unique and comprehensive perspective.
In 2012, he authored his first book, Filmmaking for Change: Make Films that Transform the World. The 2nd Edition was released in October of 2017. For more info on the book, click here. This book has been used to lead discussions in classrooms and for curriculum in filmmaking courses.
In 2019, he authored his second book, Habits of Heroes: 100 Movies That Will Change Your Life. For more info on the book, click here:
Fitzgerald has written numerous articles on film festivals, production and distribution, as well as participated as a panelist, moderator and juror for many industry events.
