Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrod Knowles.
Jarrod, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Having been born in Nassau, Bahamas, Jarrod Alexander Knowles moved to Miami, FL in the year 2008 to pursue higher education at Florida International University. Although his background was in Information Technology, he found himself writing a screenplay in his dorm room one night, due to his dissatisfaction with some films he’d seen lately. His first screenplay was called “What Lies Beyond”. 3 years later, in his senior year, he acquired the resources to produce and direct the film, and hence retrieved the dusty script and almost magically transformed it into a motion picture, 4 months later. Knowles funded this film completely out of pocket and successfully completed the film and hosted several screenings for it, in order to observe crowd reactions and conduct market research. At one such screening, Albrion Symonette Jr., a friend of Knowles, told him of his interest in investing in any future projects. This inspiration, combined with the knowledge and market research gained from producing the first film, drove Knowles forward to undergo Production of his second feature film, “What Lies Beyond… The Beginning”. With the help of his mentor, Houston Cypress, Knowles successfully put a team together and has since completed Production for the film. Additionally, Knowles has also written, directed, produced, and edited 3 short films. One of his most recent God-inspired achievements was the successful facilitation of the Annual WideScreen Film & Music Video Festival, of which Knowles is the Founder & President. The festival held at AMC 24 Aventura is now going into it’s 4th year. Furthermore, Knowles took it upon himself to launch his own online virtual festival platform, known as IndieWise, in an effort to give every filmmaker and artist a voice. This evolved into what is now known as the Grand IndieWise Convention, attracting 400+ filmmakers and artists from nearly 80 countries. Jarrod Knowles is a firm believer that, “to have a dream is something; to pursue that dream is everything”.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely the furthest thing from a smooth road.
Challenges and Struggles include:
1. Fundraising
2. Finding trustworthy people to work with
3. Maintaining inspiration and motivation
4. Keeping customers inspired
WideScreen Film Festival & Grand IndieWise Convention – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Companies: “WideScreen Film & Music Video Festival” & “Grand IndieWise Convention”
Mission: To inspire, empower, and enhance the creative mind
My Role: Founder & President
My Specialty: Marketing, Customer Relations and Service, Directing, and Producing
Known for: Attracting 80 Countries the first time around, Doing Yacht Galas, Screening Films in AMC
Most Proud of: Empowering Filmmakers and Artists and giving them a voice
What Sets us apart: Our focus on customer satisfaction
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is NOT an Ultimate Resting Place. Success Is:
1. The Daily Grind
2. The Will to Never Give Up
3. The Maximization of One’s Potential
4. The Promise to be Better than you were Yesterday
Contact Info:
- Website: https://convention.getindiewise.com
- Phone: 305-999-5910
- Email: convention@getindiewise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getindiewise
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/widescreenfest
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/getindiewise
- Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwU4RM8epng
- Other: www.widescreenfest.com
Image Credit:
Malena Vasquez – Photographer
Jay Manne – Photographer
James Eagles – Photographer
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
