The Sixth Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival was held at the Historic Mauch Chuck Opera House. The opera house has been operating for more than 138 years…. could you even imagine the stories the opera house could tell. On Saturday I ventured to Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe is in Lehigh Gorge in Carbon County. It’s considered one of “the great gems of the Poconos.” It’s also named after the legendary athlete, Jim Thorpe. It’s a bit of a tourist town. It reminds you of one of those little towns in a movie. Saturday was a beautiful day, and the rain didn’t even keep anyone away. It was Earth Day after all, Mother Nature says what goes.

I arrived in Jim Thorpe and I always notice the architecture, the small little nooks and crannies of Jim Thorpe. The legendary Old Jail Museum, the trolley tours, the walking tours, the variety of shops. If you have never been to Jim Thorpe, I suggest checking it out.

The Mauch Chunk Opera House… What a breathtaking place. The exterior is as gorgeous as the interior of the building. I can’t imagine the stories the opera house could tell. Such an amazing place. I arrived and met some friends and went inside to be greeted by more amazing people. They were doing such a great job with everything.  It was set up beautifully,  and organized. Saturday,  April 22, 2023 started off with the PA Student Films

PA Student Films

BLOCK -7

Can’t Handle You – David Toolan

Listen- Casey Schaffer

Going on a Hike- Kyle Bloom

Move- Grace Wyckoff

What A Difference A Day Makes- Matthew Donley

First Time – Tony McCall

Open Heart- Haley J. Hnatuk

The Box- Carter Stoudt

Fans Don’t Boo Nobodies – Zachary GuthermN

Hey Sexy- Jesse De Rocco

The Language of Luggage – David Toolan

In between the film blocks and features, everyone took breaks, grabbed snacks (coffee for some of us), and ventured outside to check out Jim Thorpe.

Block 8 – Hundreds of Beavers went from 1:30 to 3:30, Hundreds of Beavers was a fun movie. It was a break from the chaos that everyday life can be.

Block 8- Hundreds of Beavers

#ValleyMan – John S. Santo

Falls Cry- Joshua Wann

Hundreds of Beavers- Mike Cheslik.

This was a great Block because of Hundreds of Beavers. Jon Truei who worked on stunts, and James took some time after the Q&A to chat with me. They were both excited to be a part of the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival.  They expressed gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone who watches the film.

Block 9-Love Hurts

Float- Andrew Larrow

Faith the Conqueror- Onur Yagiz (France)

The Errand – Amanda Renee Knox

Psycho Killer- Matthew Robert Vincini

Day in the Country – Miles Tiller, Lucien Anderson

Lago and Tristen- Miguel Ibanez Monroy (Spain)

Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You – Ghriaghair Rioghnach (Ireland)

Campfire- Austin Lee Bunn

Campfire was a beautiful film. Some of the cast was there and they did a Q&A. It was truly an experience to see the reactions, to watch these films, and recognize how much time and effort goes into each one.

Block 10 – Live Audio/ Visual Performance

Music by Manna and Visuals by Grant Bouvier

Music by Soporus and visuals by Nico Dominguez. Soporus is made up of Matthew Stone and William Stichter.

This portion was absolutely stunning. It was ethereal and so in tune with what this festival was about. Soporus was so into playing, and the visuals were so calming. It was surreal to see this. Manna did an incredible job. They were captivating.

Block 11- The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster

Mold of Malachi – Mtume Gant

Game- Vernard James

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster – Bomani J. Story

Block 12- 8 Found Dead

Get Away – Michael Gabriele

Scooter- Chelsea Lupkin

Block 13- Grindhouse

Bad Acid – Sam Fo

Bug Bites- Daniel Del Purgatorio

Trick or Treat – Part 1 Wesley Mellott

Meat Friend – Izzy Lee

Life of the Party – Graham Burrell

The Chaotic Melody of Tina – D. Anderson, A. Perra

Even Monsters Sleep – Cooper J.

The Order of the Cross – Alfredo Figueroa Herrera  (Chile)

The Elevator- Benjamin Hujawa (Germany)

I Call Upon Thee – Michael Anthony Kratochvil (Australia)

Guts – Chris McInroy

I’m grateful I was able to attend the film festival.  It was a blast, and the filmmakers and staff did such an incredible job. I was able to see a few of the films at other film festivals. It was nice to see all of these movies making the rounds.

They had some great sponsors too including: Muggles Mug Coffee Shop, Stone Row Pub & Eatery, Mauch Chunk Museum, and more.

Thank you,  to Jocelyn O’Neil Morris and Todd Morris. Jocelyn was so kind. Jocelyn answered questions, and she is incredibly talented. I also met Tony Martinez (“Think Tony the Tiger if you forget.” I know quite a few Tony’s in life so I won’t forget.)  who was busy all day and night doing photography,  cinematography, and more. Matthew Patterson Curry, Justin Gibbon, and Gilles Boulenger.

I would recommend checking this festival out next year and for years to come. It was a great day, and an amazing film festival.