My long CV, yet still so much isn't even in here:
Filmography and Selected Exhibitions:
Jenni Olson’s films, videos, and curated coming-attractions programs have been screened around the world at hundreds of film festivals, museums, galleries, cinematheques and classrooms (including such notable venues as: the Sundance Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the Museum of Modern Art). Check Jenni's IMDb page for the most updated info.
Writer/Director, The Quiet World (2023, experimental feature, 65 mins.)
In Development.
Writer/Director, In nomine Patris (2019, experimental short, 2 mins.)
Part of the nationally touring shorts program, 30/30 Vision: Three Decades of Strand Releasing which was presented at the Walker Art Center, Wexner Center for the Arts, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Hammer Museum — and on the Criterion Channel.
Writer/Director, The Royal Road (2015, experimental feature, 65 mins.)
Awards:
Best LGBTQ Film — Ann Arbor Film Festival
Best Feature — Queer Porto LGBT Film Festival
Avant Garde & Genre Special Jury Mention: BAFICI
(Buenos Aires International Independent Cinema Festival)
Special Jury Mention — Dokufest: International Documentary Fest
Documentary Special Mention — MIX Copenhagen
Pride Award — Ashland Film Festival
Frameline Completion Fund Grant
San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artists Grant
San Francisco Film Society, Herbert Family Documentary Grant
Nominee: Fleishhacker Foundation Eureka Fellowship
Nominee: SECA Art Award, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
World Premiere: 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Shown at dozens of film festivals and museums including: BAM Cinematek; Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Art of the Real series (Closing Night film); Frameline, Outfest, Dokufest, Los Angeles Filmforum, Anthology Film Archives.
Writer/Director, 575 Castro St. (2009, experimental short, 7 mins.)
Commissioned by FilmInFocus.com for Gus Van Sant’s Milk website.
World Premiere: 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Shown at dozens of film festivals and museums including: Berlin International Film Festival, Frameline, Outfest, Viennale, International Human Rights Film Festival — Nuremberg, San Francisco Camerawork, Leslie Lohman Gallery and many others. It is also on exhibit in a permanent installation at 575 Castro Street, San Francisco (home of the Human Rights Campaign Action Center & Store).
Writer/Director, The Joy of Life (2005, experimental feature, 65 mins.)
Awards:
Newfest NY Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (2005) — Best U.S. Screenplay
Outfest LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (2005) — Outstanding Achievement
San Francisco Film Critics Circle — Marlon Riggs Award
San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artists Grant
POWER UP Film Fund Grant
World Premiere: Sundance Film Festival (2005)
Co-Director-Producer, Matzo Maidels (2003, video, 5 mins.).
Producer, Sing Along San Francisco (2002, 35mm, 5 mins.).
Writer-Director-Producer, Meep Meep! (2000, experimental video, 1 min.)
World Premiere: Sundance Online Film Festival (2001)
Writer-Director, Blue Diary (1998, 16mm, experimental, 7 mins.)
Director’s Choice Award: Black Maria Film Festival
Horizons Foundation Community Issues Grant
World Premiere: Berlin International Film Festival (1998)
Co-Director, Blow-Up (1997, experimental video, 6 mins.).
Writer-Director-Producer, Sometimes (1994, experimental video, 1 min.).
Writer-Director-Producer, Levi’s 501s Commercial (1991, experimental video, 1 min.).
Select Other Projects, Mainly as Producer:
Consulting Producer, Beyond The Aggressives (2023, documentary by Daniel Peddle); Archival Producer, Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror (2022, FX series by Bryan Fuller); Research Historian, Bros (2022, feature by Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller); Archival Producer, Casa Susanna (2022, documentary by Sebastien Lifschitz); Consulting Producer, Wonderfully Made (2022, documentary by Yuval David); Archival Producer & Story Consultant, Equal (2020, HBO Max series by Stephen Kijak); Consulting Producer, Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020, documentary by Sam Feder); Consulting Producer, No Straight Lines (2021 documentary by Vivian Kleinman); Consulting Producer, A Worm in the Heart (2019, documentary by Paul Rice); Interviewee, Dykes! Camera! Action! (2018, documentary by Caroline Berler); Producer, The Freedom To Marry (2016, documentary by Eddie Rosenstien); Consulting Producer, AWOL (2016, feature by Deb Shoval); Advisor, To Be Takei (2014, documentary by Jennfer Kroot); Executive Producer, Test (2012, feature by Chris Mason Johnson); Interviewee, Vito (2011, documentary by Jeffrey Schwarz); Consultant/Interviewee, Fabulous!: The Story of Queer Cinema (2006, documentary by Lesli Klainberg and Lisa Ades); Consulting Producer, By Hook or By Crook (2001, feature by Harry Dodge & Silas Howard); Associate Producer/Interviewee, Jodie: An Icon (1996, documentary by Pratibha Parmar).
I have served as an advisor to dozens of films and filmmakers over the years. Materials from my extensive personal archive of rare LGBT film prints have been utilized in numerous films including such acclaimed documentaries as Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s, Stonewall Uprising and I Am Divine.
Education/Special Training:
Bachelor of Arts, Film Studies (University of Minnesota, 1991)
16mm Film Production (Film Arts Foundation, 1997)
Writing/Film Criticism:
Filmmaker Magazine (film writer, 2010-present); Queerty.com(film writer, 2013-present); Talkhouse (film contributor, 2018-present); NewNowNext Logo TV (film critic 2017-2021); AfterEllen.com (film writer, 2011-2016); QMovieBlog.com (editor/writer, 2005-2015); FilmInFocus.com (film writer, 2008-2012); Indiewire.com (film contributor, 1996-present); Gay.com & PlanetOut.com (film critic, 1995-2009); Bay Area Reporter (film and gossip contributor, 1992-present); The Advocate (film contributor, 1991-2007); Out & About/Out Traveler (travel writer, 2000-2015); Girlfriends Magazine (film columnist, 1995-1996); Twin Cities GAZE (arts & entertainment columnist, 1987-1992); Minnesota Daily (arts & entertainment critic, 1989-1990); Artpaper (film critic, 1990-1992); additional film and creative writing has also appeared in: Out Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Curve, Girljock, Hurricane Alice, Holy Titclamps, I Heart Amy Carter, and dozens of other periodicals.
Select Publications:
Oxford Handbook of Queer Cinema (contributor — Oxford University Press, forthcoming in 2021); Tenth & Mission (contributor — California Institute of Integral Studies, 2018); The Queer Encyclopedia of the Visual Arts (contributor – Cleis, 2006); Get On The Bus (contributor – CitySpace, 2006); The Queer Movie Poster Book (author - Chronicle Books, 2004); The Ultimate Guide to Lesbian & Gay Film and Video (editor – Serpent’s Tail, 1996); Images in the Dark: An Encyclopedia of Lesbian and Gay Film (contributor – Plume/Penguin, 1996); Lesbian Words: State of the Art (contributor – Richard Kasak Books, 1996); The Mom Book (contributor – Cleis, 1999); Cookin’ with Honey (contributor – Cleis, 1996); Dagger: On Butch Women (contributor – Cleis, 1995).
Additional Programming & Curatorial Experience:
I have curated a variety of vintage 35mm trailer programs that have played at film festivals around the world. These feature-length shows offer a wildly entertaining journey in Hollywood movie marketing: Homo Promo (1991); Neo Homo Promo (1993); Trailer Camp (1995); Afro Promo (1997); Trailers, Schmailers (1998); Bride of Trailer Camp (2001). Additional curatorial experience includes: San Francisco Main Library — Hormel Center Frameline Video Archive Film Series (June 2011); Sundance Queer Movie Poster Show (curator, 2008); San Francisco Cinematheque — Kees Kino, Weldon Kees film program (June 2006); The Queer Movie Poster Show, San Francisco Main Library (curator, 2004); PlanetOut.com Short Movie Awards (founder/co-curator, 2000-2003); Minneapolis/St. Paul Lesbian, Gay, Bi, & Transgender Film Festival (Co-programmer, 1987-2006); OUTFEST: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1998); San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1996); New York Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1996); PlanetOut.com Online Cinema — LGBT Movie Showcase (founder & programmer, 1995); Washington, DC International Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1994); Tokyo Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1993); Coffman Union, University of Minnesota ("Lavender Images" film series programmer, 1986-1991); Girl/Boy Bar, Minneapolis, MN (film/video/performance programmer, 1987-1991); University Young Women, University of Minnesota (film/video/performance programmer, 1987-1990); Midwest Lesbian & Gay Student Conference, University of Minnesota (film/video programmer, 1987).
Juries, Panels & Presentations (Select):
In addition to presenting my work at film festivals and other screening venues I’ve given master classes, lectures and presentations at numerous colleges, universities and conferences including: Amherst College — Helene Keyssar Distinguished Lecture: "My Completely Impossible and Yet Partially Successful Effort to Stop Time: Jenni Olson on Landscape Filmmaking" (2019); The International Documentary Association Getting Real Conference (2018); California College of the Arts (2016, 2011); Union Docs (2015); San Francisco State University (2015, 2005); University of San Francisco (2015); California Institute of Integral Studies (2015, 2012, 2010); San Francisco Art Institute (2005); Stanford University (2005).
I’ve served on many film festival juries over the years including: Sundance Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival and LGBT film festivals in Los Angeles, Turin, Manila, Rochester, Washington DC and elsewhere. My film funding jury service includes: Jerome Foundation Funding Panelist (2018); Frameline Completion Fund (jury: 2007, 2002, 1999). With a special focus on online/digital film distribution, I’ve been a panelist and moderator at numerous film festivals and conferences including: Sundance, Mill Valley Film Fest, Outfest, Newfest, Frameline, and the TED Fellows Conference.
Employment:
Jenni Olson Consulting (2016-present)
Independent consultant
Currently working as archival producer/story consultant as well as consulting on marketing/PR, social media, digital distribution, acquisitions and online projects for various independent film clients.
The Bressan Project (2018-present)
Co-director
Coordinate the preservation, promotion and strategic distribution of the films of the late gay writer-director Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.
Wolfe Video/Wolfe Releasing (2005-2016)
VP, e-commerce & consumer marketing
Work with management team of LGBT film and video distributor on e-commerce and catalog sales. Focus on marketing (website, e-newsletters, catalogs, postcards), products (DVD blurbs and box design) and promotions initiatives (sales, special offers) as well as acquisitions and developing relationships with filmmakers and industry colleagues for strategic partnerships.
PlanetOut Partners, Inc. (1995-2003)
Director, entertainment & e-commerce
Development and maintenance of the largest gay and lesbian movie website and largest gay entertainment site on the Internet with strong emphasis on e-commerce. Involvement in all aspects of site (editorial content, technical production, site design and architecture, promotion and marketing, product acquisition, inventory management, merchandising) including continual updating of news, reviews and interviews (movies, music, television, books, etc.), with a special focus on new theatrical and home video releases, movie news, film festivals, funding sources, distributors, etc., and extensive outreach and organizational development with colleagues in the world of independent film and video. Also created online film exhibition program: PlanetOut Online Cinema in 1995 and PlanetOut Short Movie Awards in 2000.
Frameline/San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival (1991-1994)
Festival Co-Director
Co-organized largest gay and lesbian film festival in the world (produced by Frameline). Responsibilities included: coordination of calls for entries; viewing and curating submissions; writing festival catalog; promotion of festival and public relations; oversight of screening committees, projection equipment, catalog production and festival staff; as well as extensive community outreach.
Select Other Achievements & Community Involvement:
Recognized internationally as a leading figure in the LGBT indie film world with decades of experience as archival researcher, digital film distribution and marketing & PR specialist, film curator, filmmaker advisor, festival juror, funding panelist, film lecturer and public speaker; MacDowell Fellowship (2018); Pride Award Recipient — Ashland Film Festival (2017); YBCA 100 List — Yerba Buena Center for the Arts list celebrating “the creative leaders and provocateurs who are using their platform to create cultural movement” (2016); Essential SF inductee — San Francisco Film Society’s “compendium of the Bay Area film community's most vital figures and institutions” (2015); Film Classics Acquisition Manager — PinkLabel.tv (2018); San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Board Member (2014-present); Consultant: Hormel Center/San Francisco Main Library — Frameline Video Archive Project (2010-present); Outfest Legacy Project at UCLA Film & TV Archive, Advisory Board (2005-present); Canyon Cinema Advisory Board (2009-present); Khashish Mumbai Queer Film Festival, Advisory Board (2013-present); San Francisco Suicide Prevention, Advisory Board (2013-present); founder, Jules Laforgue Appreciation Society (2010-present); founder, PQ Professionals LGBT film networking group; honored as “one of the Top Hot 100 Butches” in 2012; recipient of 2005 San Francisco Film Critics Circle Marlon Riggs Award, 2005 Outfest Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement & NewFest Award for Best U.S. Screenplay (all for The Joy of Life); voted one of Top 10 Sexiest People in Bay Area by SF Bay Guardian (back in 2002, but still…); co-founder/organizer of The Queer Brunch at Sundance (1997-2002); co-founder, Queer Nation Minnesota (1990); proprietor of Butch.org; and proud parent of two amazing kids.
Yet more info can be found here:
LinkedIn Page
IMDb Page
TED Fellows Advisor Profile
Harvard Film Archive — Jenni Olson Queer Film Collection Page
Press materials like stills and headshots can be found at this link. For a set of spreadsheets linking to press coverage of my films and projects, as well as my own writings and film criticism, etc. — click here.
Jenni Olson’s films, videos, and curated coming-attractions programs have been screened around the world at hundreds of film festivals, museums, galleries, cinematheques and classrooms (including such notable venues as: the Sundance Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the Museum of Modern Art). Check Jenni's IMDb page for the most updated info.
Writer/Director, The Quiet World (2023, experimental feature, 65 mins.)
In Development.
Writer/Director, In nomine Patris (2019, experimental short, 2 mins.)
Part of the nationally touring shorts program, 30/30 Vision: Three Decades of Strand Releasing which was presented at the Walker Art Center, Wexner Center for the Arts, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Hammer Museum — and on the Criterion Channel.
Writer/Director, The Royal Road (2015, experimental feature, 65 mins.)
Awards:
Best LGBTQ Film — Ann Arbor Film Festival
Best Feature — Queer Porto LGBT Film Festival
Avant Garde & Genre Special Jury Mention: BAFICI
(Buenos Aires International Independent Cinema Festival)
Special Jury Mention — Dokufest: International Documentary Fest
Documentary Special Mention — MIX Copenhagen
Pride Award — Ashland Film Festival
Frameline Completion Fund Grant
San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artists Grant
San Francisco Film Society, Herbert Family Documentary Grant
Nominee: Fleishhacker Foundation Eureka Fellowship
Nominee: SECA Art Award, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
World Premiere: 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Shown at dozens of film festivals and museums including: BAM Cinematek; Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Art of the Real series (Closing Night film); Frameline, Outfest, Dokufest, Los Angeles Filmforum, Anthology Film Archives.
Writer/Director, 575 Castro St. (2009, experimental short, 7 mins.)
Commissioned by FilmInFocus.com for Gus Van Sant’s Milk website.
World Premiere: 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Shown at dozens of film festivals and museums including: Berlin International Film Festival, Frameline, Outfest, Viennale, International Human Rights Film Festival — Nuremberg, San Francisco Camerawork, Leslie Lohman Gallery and many others. It is also on exhibit in a permanent installation at 575 Castro Street, San Francisco (home of the Human Rights Campaign Action Center & Store).
Writer/Director, The Joy of Life (2005, experimental feature, 65 mins.)
Awards:
Newfest NY Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (2005) — Best U.S. Screenplay
Outfest LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (2005) — Outstanding Achievement
San Francisco Film Critics Circle — Marlon Riggs Award
San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artists Grant
POWER UP Film Fund Grant
World Premiere: Sundance Film Festival (2005)
Co-Director-Producer, Matzo Maidels (2003, video, 5 mins.).
Producer, Sing Along San Francisco (2002, 35mm, 5 mins.).
Writer-Director-Producer, Meep Meep! (2000, experimental video, 1 min.)
World Premiere: Sundance Online Film Festival (2001)
Writer-Director, Blue Diary (1998, 16mm, experimental, 7 mins.)
Director’s Choice Award: Black Maria Film Festival
Horizons Foundation Community Issues Grant
World Premiere: Berlin International Film Festival (1998)
Co-Director, Blow-Up (1997, experimental video, 6 mins.).
Writer-Director-Producer, Sometimes (1994, experimental video, 1 min.).
Writer-Director-Producer, Levi’s 501s Commercial (1991, experimental video, 1 min.).
Select Other Projects, Mainly as Producer:
Consulting Producer, Beyond The Aggressives (2023, documentary by Daniel Peddle); Archival Producer, Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror (2022, FX series by Bryan Fuller); Research Historian, Bros (2022, feature by Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller); Archival Producer, Casa Susanna (2022, documentary by Sebastien Lifschitz); Consulting Producer, Wonderfully Made (2022, documentary by Yuval David); Archival Producer & Story Consultant, Equal (2020, HBO Max series by Stephen Kijak); Consulting Producer, Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020, documentary by Sam Feder); Consulting Producer, No Straight Lines (2021 documentary by Vivian Kleinman); Consulting Producer, A Worm in the Heart (2019, documentary by Paul Rice); Interviewee, Dykes! Camera! Action! (2018, documentary by Caroline Berler); Producer, The Freedom To Marry (2016, documentary by Eddie Rosenstien); Consulting Producer, AWOL (2016, feature by Deb Shoval); Advisor, To Be Takei (2014, documentary by Jennfer Kroot); Executive Producer, Test (2012, feature by Chris Mason Johnson); Interviewee, Vito (2011, documentary by Jeffrey Schwarz); Consultant/Interviewee, Fabulous!: The Story of Queer Cinema (2006, documentary by Lesli Klainberg and Lisa Ades); Consulting Producer, By Hook or By Crook (2001, feature by Harry Dodge & Silas Howard); Associate Producer/Interviewee, Jodie: An Icon (1996, documentary by Pratibha Parmar).
I have served as an advisor to dozens of films and filmmakers over the years. Materials from my extensive personal archive of rare LGBT film prints have been utilized in numerous films including such acclaimed documentaries as Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s, Stonewall Uprising and I Am Divine.
Education/Special Training:
Bachelor of Arts, Film Studies (University of Minnesota, 1991)
16mm Film Production (Film Arts Foundation, 1997)
Writing/Film Criticism:
Filmmaker Magazine (film writer, 2010-present); Queerty.com(film writer, 2013-present); Talkhouse (film contributor, 2018-present); NewNowNext Logo TV (film critic 2017-2021); AfterEllen.com (film writer, 2011-2016); QMovieBlog.com (editor/writer, 2005-2015); FilmInFocus.com (film writer, 2008-2012); Indiewire.com (film contributor, 1996-present); Gay.com & PlanetOut.com (film critic, 1995-2009); Bay Area Reporter (film and gossip contributor, 1992-present); The Advocate (film contributor, 1991-2007); Out & About/Out Traveler (travel writer, 2000-2015); Girlfriends Magazine (film columnist, 1995-1996); Twin Cities GAZE (arts & entertainment columnist, 1987-1992); Minnesota Daily (arts & entertainment critic, 1989-1990); Artpaper (film critic, 1990-1992); additional film and creative writing has also appeared in: Out Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Curve, Girljock, Hurricane Alice, Holy Titclamps, I Heart Amy Carter, and dozens of other periodicals.
Select Publications:
Oxford Handbook of Queer Cinema (contributor — Oxford University Press, forthcoming in 2021); Tenth & Mission (contributor — California Institute of Integral Studies, 2018); The Queer Encyclopedia of the Visual Arts (contributor – Cleis, 2006); Get On The Bus (contributor – CitySpace, 2006); The Queer Movie Poster Book (author - Chronicle Books, 2004); The Ultimate Guide to Lesbian & Gay Film and Video (editor – Serpent’s Tail, 1996); Images in the Dark: An Encyclopedia of Lesbian and Gay Film (contributor – Plume/Penguin, 1996); Lesbian Words: State of the Art (contributor – Richard Kasak Books, 1996); The Mom Book (contributor – Cleis, 1999); Cookin’ with Honey (contributor – Cleis, 1996); Dagger: On Butch Women (contributor – Cleis, 1995).
Additional Programming & Curatorial Experience:
I have curated a variety of vintage 35mm trailer programs that have played at film festivals around the world. These feature-length shows offer a wildly entertaining journey in Hollywood movie marketing: Homo Promo (1991); Neo Homo Promo (1993); Trailer Camp (1995); Afro Promo (1997); Trailers, Schmailers (1998); Bride of Trailer Camp (2001). Additional curatorial experience includes: San Francisco Main Library — Hormel Center Frameline Video Archive Film Series (June 2011); Sundance Queer Movie Poster Show (curator, 2008); San Francisco Cinematheque — Kees Kino, Weldon Kees film program (June 2006); The Queer Movie Poster Show, San Francisco Main Library (curator, 2004); PlanetOut.com Short Movie Awards (founder/co-curator, 2000-2003); Minneapolis/St. Paul Lesbian, Gay, Bi, & Transgender Film Festival (Co-programmer, 1987-2006); OUTFEST: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1998); San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1996); New York Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1996); PlanetOut.com Online Cinema — LGBT Movie Showcase (founder & programmer, 1995); Washington, DC International Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1994); Tokyo Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Guest Curator, 1993); Coffman Union, University of Minnesota ("Lavender Images" film series programmer, 1986-1991); Girl/Boy Bar, Minneapolis, MN (film/video/performance programmer, 1987-1991); University Young Women, University of Minnesota (film/video/performance programmer, 1987-1990); Midwest Lesbian & Gay Student Conference, University of Minnesota (film/video programmer, 1987).
Juries, Panels & Presentations (Select):
In addition to presenting my work at film festivals and other screening venues I’ve given master classes, lectures and presentations at numerous colleges, universities and conferences including: Amherst College — Helene Keyssar Distinguished Lecture: "My Completely Impossible and Yet Partially Successful Effort to Stop Time: Jenni Olson on Landscape Filmmaking" (2019); The International Documentary Association Getting Real Conference (2018); California College of the Arts (2016, 2011); Union Docs (2015); San Francisco State University (2015, 2005); University of San Francisco (2015); California Institute of Integral Studies (2015, 2012, 2010); San Francisco Art Institute (2005); Stanford University (2005).
I’ve served on many film festival juries over the years including: Sundance Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival and LGBT film festivals in Los Angeles, Turin, Manila, Rochester, Washington DC and elsewhere. My film funding jury service includes: Jerome Foundation Funding Panelist (2018); Frameline Completion Fund (jury: 2007, 2002, 1999). With a special focus on online/digital film distribution, I’ve been a panelist and moderator at numerous film festivals and conferences including: Sundance, Mill Valley Film Fest, Outfest, Newfest, Frameline, and the TED Fellows Conference.
Employment:
Jenni Olson Consulting (2016-present)
Independent consultant
Currently working as archival producer/story consultant as well as consulting on marketing/PR, social media, digital distribution, acquisitions and online projects for various independent film clients.
The Bressan Project (2018-present)
Co-director
Coordinate the preservation, promotion and strategic distribution of the films of the late gay writer-director Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.
Wolfe Video/Wolfe Releasing (2005-2016)
VP, e-commerce & consumer marketing
Work with management team of LGBT film and video distributor on e-commerce and catalog sales. Focus on marketing (website, e-newsletters, catalogs, postcards), products (DVD blurbs and box design) and promotions initiatives (sales, special offers) as well as acquisitions and developing relationships with filmmakers and industry colleagues for strategic partnerships.
PlanetOut Partners, Inc. (1995-2003)
Director, entertainment & e-commerce
Development and maintenance of the largest gay and lesbian movie website and largest gay entertainment site on the Internet with strong emphasis on e-commerce. Involvement in all aspects of site (editorial content, technical production, site design and architecture, promotion and marketing, product acquisition, inventory management, merchandising) including continual updating of news, reviews and interviews (movies, music, television, books, etc.), with a special focus on new theatrical and home video releases, movie news, film festivals, funding sources, distributors, etc., and extensive outreach and organizational development with colleagues in the world of independent film and video. Also created online film exhibition program: PlanetOut Online Cinema in 1995 and PlanetOut Short Movie Awards in 2000.
Frameline/San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival (1991-1994)
Festival Co-Director
Co-organized largest gay and lesbian film festival in the world (produced by Frameline). Responsibilities included: coordination of calls for entries; viewing and curating submissions; writing festival catalog; promotion of festival and public relations; oversight of screening committees, projection equipment, catalog production and festival staff; as well as extensive community outreach.
Select Other Achievements & Community Involvement:
Recognized internationally as a leading figure in the LGBT indie film world with decades of experience as archival researcher, digital film distribution and marketing & PR specialist, film curator, filmmaker advisor, festival juror, funding panelist, film lecturer and public speaker; MacDowell Fellowship (2018); Pride Award Recipient — Ashland Film Festival (2017); YBCA 100 List — Yerba Buena Center for the Arts list celebrating “the creative leaders and provocateurs who are using their platform to create cultural movement” (2016); Essential SF inductee — San Francisco Film Society’s “compendium of the Bay Area film community's most vital figures and institutions” (2015); Film Classics Acquisition Manager — PinkLabel.tv (2018); San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Board Member (2014-present); Consultant: Hormel Center/San Francisco Main Library — Frameline Video Archive Project (2010-present); Outfest Legacy Project at UCLA Film & TV Archive, Advisory Board (2005-present); Canyon Cinema Advisory Board (2009-present); Khashish Mumbai Queer Film Festival, Advisory Board (2013-present); San Francisco Suicide Prevention, Advisory Board (2013-present); founder, Jules Laforgue Appreciation Society (2010-present); founder, PQ Professionals LGBT film networking group; honored as “one of the Top Hot 100 Butches” in 2012; recipient of 2005 San Francisco Film Critics Circle Marlon Riggs Award, 2005 Outfest Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement & NewFest Award for Best U.S. Screenplay (all for The Joy of Life); voted one of Top 10 Sexiest People in Bay Area by SF Bay Guardian (back in 2002, but still…); co-founder/organizer of The Queer Brunch at Sundance (1997-2002); co-founder, Queer Nation Minnesota (1990); proprietor of Butch.org; and proud parent of two amazing kids.
Yet more info can be found here:
LinkedIn Page
IMDb Page
TED Fellows Advisor Profile
Harvard Film Archive — Jenni Olson Queer Film Collection Page
Press materials like stills and headshots can be found at this link. For a set of spreadsheets linking to press coverage of my films and projects, as well as my own writings and film criticism, etc. — click here.
