FilmQuest is a festival for filmmakers by filmmakers. Explore who we are and what we’ve done that helps us make FilmQuest the best fest possible for you.
JONATHAN MARTIN – Founder & Director – Jonathan is first and foremost a filmmaker. His first narrative short, An Evening with My Comatose Mother, is the most awarded horror short film of all-time. The film won 76 festival and industry awards and played at over 100 film festivals. Jonathan is also the owner of Bohemian Industries, a production company focused on delivering unique and original stories and content in all genres of cinema. His music videos, Muscle Hawk’s Electric Light and Shaun Canon’s I’ll Always Be Young, are multiple award winners themselves. In 2016, he released the dark fantasy short film Kiss the Devil in the Dark (starring Doug Jones, Dameon Clarke, and Amrita Acharia), the Jack the Ripper meets Bride of Frankenstein Hammer style mashup short Creatures of Whitechapel, and the music video My Eternity by Chrysalis. Kiss would win over 50 awards and play over 50 festivals, while Creatures would play over 80 festivals while winning 87 awards. In 2019, he released the horror music video Demons, with the sci-fi music video Gravity from the Irish artist Yelpy being released in 2020.
With FilmQuest, Jonathan has tried to build the ultimate festival experience. Having been to and seen how many festivals of all makes and sizes operate, Jonathan hopes to take the festival game to the next level and deliver to all who come to FilmQuest an experience they won’t forget. A festival where there is no pretentiousness, no fluff, and all fun. But also a festival that enriches and helps propel filmmakers on their journey to becoming what they dream of, that encourages and promotes films and filmmakers in all categories while staying focused on the majesty of genre cinema.
Feel free to email Jonathan personally via jonathan@bohemianindustries.com or at jmartin@filmquestfest.com.
JONNA JACKSON – Assistant Director & Production Manager – Jonna is no stranger to managing large events, Jonna has over 20 years of managing concerts for major rock bands like The Eagles, Jack White, Fear Factory and many more. She has produced two feature films and several shorts, with many more in development. Further, she has also served as the Production Manager for the world famous Screamfest Horror Film Festival in LA for seven years. Many have come to affectionately know her as “Red.” Jonna is also a top notch script editor & consultant for several filmmakers while also serving as the regional manager for a major corporation. Jonna and Jonathan became immediate best friends when they met at the 2011 Screamfest, and have since supported each other’s projects. A hard working, fun, yet to-the-point woman, Jonna is a firecracker on the FilmQuest team. Feel free to email Jonna via jonna@filmquestfest.com.
RICHARD TEASDALE – Deputy Director – An award winning editor, Richard was brought on board to FilmQuest as soon as it was founded. He and Jonathan have edited several projects together, and Richard more than anybody on the team appreciates the art of good editing and structure. A level headed individual, Richard brings stability and honesty to all his work.
MATTHEW LONG – FilmQuest Utah Films Coordinator – Well known and respected in the Utah film industry, Matthew is the owner of Enigma 3, a film rental house that provides the best rates available to filmmakers for equipment rentals that allows any and all filmmakers to realize their filmmaking dreams. Matthew organized the Underfunded Film Festival, which has since merged with FilmQuest to create an even better event. Matthew is passionate about ensuring filmmakers are able to make the best film possible and the best budget available, no matter how big or small each film is. Visit www.enigma3.com for your production needs!
JENNY EVANS – Media Coordinator – One of the original faces of FilmQuest, Jenny has worked extensively behind the scenes with our volunteers and Jonna to provide a smooth, great experience for everyone involved. Jenny brings a dynamic skill set to the table, and has recently begun Assistant Directing productions on the area, elevating her status within the Utah film community.
MELANIE ROBBINS – Volunteer Coordinator – Another original face of FilmQuest, Mel is a powerhouse that everyone falls in love with. She organizes the best volunteers in the game, while also providing a friendly and happy smile to everyone who attends. She can truly do it all!