ABOUT
Cause Pictures lives at the intersection of filmmaking for change, supporting independent filmmakers, film festivals & film programs.
Jon Fitzgerald - Founder & CEO
Jon has twenty-five years of experience in the independent film, internet and film festival communities, a rare leader with a unique combination of skills. As a filmmaker, he has produced a number of award winning documentaries; and as a consultant, he has guided many independent film projects through the maze of festivals and hybrid distribution models.
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 running AFI Fest for three years (1997-1999), he created a consulting business, guiding the launch of numerous film festivals (Bahamas, Lone Star, Orlando), directing several others (Santa Barbara, Topanga and Naples), and consulting to dozens more, while sharing insights, articles and videos through On the Circuit.
In October of 2012, Jon authored his first book, entitled Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World, published by industry leader Michael Wiese Productions.
Recognizing that film is more than just entertainment, it is a tool to engage and inspire audiences to take action, Founder Jon Fitzgerald created Cause Pictures as a new paradigm to help create change. The Company combines Jon’s years of filmmaking, festival and consulting experience, providing services to film festivals and supporting independent filmmakers looking to produce, present impact campaigns, and distribute their films to a growing audience yearning for socially relevant stories.
Jon has twenty-five years of experience in the independent film, internet and film festival communities, a rare leader with a unique combination of skills. As a filmmaker, he has produced a number of award winning documentaries; and as a consultant, he has guided many independent film projects through the maze of festivals and hybrid distribution models.
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 running AFI Fest for three years (1997-1999), he created a consulting business, guiding the launch of numerous film festivals (Bahamas, Lone Star, Orlando), directing several others (Santa Barbara, Topanga and Naples), and consulting to dozens more, while sharing insights, articles and videos through On the Circuit.
In October of 2012, Jon authored his first book, entitled Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World, published by industry leader Michael Wiese Productions.
Recognizing that film is more than just entertainment, it is a tool to engage and inspire audiences to take action, Founder Jon Fitzgerald created Cause Pictures as a new paradigm to help create change. The Company combines Jon’s years of filmmaking, festival and consulting experience, providing services to film festivals and supporting independent filmmakers looking to produce, present impact campaigns, and distribute their films to a growing audience yearning for socially relevant stories.
Cindy Fitzgerald - Principal & Managing Partner, The Partnerships Collaborative
A Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, with a degree in Political Science and Italian, Cindy Fitzgerald earned her Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of International Studies. Having studied and worked abroad for close to eight years, she has served as a Trade Representative for the State of California, in Public Relations, and as a Trade Show Specialist across Europe.
For the last two decades she has gained extensive experience working in partnerships efforts for both for and not-for-profit organizations across many business verticals. She is a passionate and creative connector of people and ideas, who is deeply committed to the arts, social impact and Profit with Purpose. Through her work with myriad film festivals (including AFI and Santa Barbara), Variety Magazine, Creative Visions Foundation, and Los Angeles Times Events (just to name a few), she has extensive knowledge of every aspect of partnerships and sponsorship program development and execution, and is well versed in experiential, cause and cross-platform sales and marketing. She has a deep understanding of brand and mission storytelling, and is an efficient and effective collaborator with proven outcomes across organizational touch points. Known as a creative and committed relationship builder who increases revenue and impact, she brings thoughtful energy, creativity and productivity to any endeavor.
For the last two decades she has gained extensive experience working in partnerships efforts for both for and not-for-profit organizations across many business verticals. She is a passionate and creative connector of people and ideas, who is deeply committed to the arts, social impact and Profit with Purpose. Through her work with myriad film festivals (including AFI and Santa Barbara), Variety Magazine, Creative Visions Foundation, and Los Angeles Times Events (just to name a few), she has extensive knowledge of every aspect of partnerships and sponsorship program development and execution, and is well versed in experiential, cause and cross-platform sales and marketing. She has a deep understanding of brand and mission storytelling, and is an efficient and effective collaborator with proven outcomes across organizational touch points. Known as a creative and committed relationship builder who increases revenue and impact, she brings thoughtful energy, creativity and productivity to any endeavor.