Jim Cummings (filmmaker) explained

Jim Cummings
Birth Date:1986 10, mf=yes
Birth Place:New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Years Active:2009–present
Awards:See below

Jim Cummings (born October 31, 1986) is an American filmmaker, actor, and composer.[1] [2] [3] He is known for writing, directing and starring in the 2016 short film Thunder Road,[4] which he extended into a 2018 feature film of the same name.[5] He also wrote, directed and starred The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020), and The Beta Test (2021).[6] [7] [8] [9] He also starred in The Last Stop in Yuma County (2023).[10]

Early life and education

Cummings is from New Orleans.[11] [12] He graduated from Emerson College in Boston in 2009.[13] He relocated to Los Angeles following a divorce and worked as a producer for CollegeHumor.[14]

Career

For his work in Thunder Road (2018), Cummings won the South by Southwest Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature.[15] He was also nominated for the 2018 Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for his work in Thunder Road.[16] [17]

In March 2024, it was announced that Cummings, along with PJ McCabe and Thomas Cross, launched an independent production studio named Cool & Happy Limited.[18]

Filmography

Shorts

As a director

Feature films

YearFilmDirectorWriterProducerEditorNotes
2010No Floodwall HereFeature directorial debut
2014Confusion Through Sand
2015The Grief of Others
2015Krisha
201513 Cameras
2018Thunder RoadAlso composer
2020Beast Beast
The Wolf of Snow Hollow
2021The Beta TestCo-written / directed with PJ McCabe

Acting roles

YearFilmRoleNotes
2014This is Jay CalvinJay CalvinShort film
201513 CamerasPaul
2016Thunder RoadJim ArnaudShort film
2017The Mountains of MourneJimShort film
2017The Show About the ShowYouTube Commentator
2018Thunder RoadJim Arnaud
2019Greener GrassRob
2020The Wolf of Snow HollowJohn Marshall
2020The Block Island SoundDale
2021The Beta TestJordan Hines
2021Halloween KillsPete McCabe
2023BarryBarry Berkman Episode: "wow"
2023The Last Stop in Yuma CountyThe Knife Salesman

Awards and nominations

Film festival awards

YearFestivalFilmAwardResultRefs.
2014USA Film FestivalConfusion Through SandAnimation
Indianapolis International Film FestivalAmerican Spectrum Prize - Best Short
2016Sundance Film FestivalThunder RoadGrand Jury Prize - Short Film
SXSW Film FestivalGrand Jury Award for Narrative Short
Special Jury Award for Acting
Provincetown International Film FestivalJury Award - Best Narrative Short
Philadelphia Film FestivalJury Award - Best Short Film
Palm Springs International ShortFestSpecial Jury Award
Los Angeles Film FestivalJury Prize - Outstanding Performance
HollyShorts Film FestivalBest Short Narrative
ÉCU Film FestivalFestival Award - Non-European Shorts
Chicago International Film FestivalAudience Choice Award - Best Short Film
Champs-Élysées Film FestivalBest American Short Film
Audience Award
Atlanta Film FestivalJury Award - Best Short Film
Anchorage International Film FestivalBest Short Film
ShortList Film FestivalCreators League Prize
2017Sundance Film FestivalThe RobberyGrand Jury Prize - Short Film
SXSW Film FestivalGrand Jury Award - Narrative Short
Champs-Élysées Film FestivalBest American Short
Anchorage International Film FestivalBest Super Short Film
2018SXSW Film FestivalThunder RoadGrand Jury Prize - Narrative Feature
Sidewalk Film FestivalBest Narrative Feature
Seattle International Film FestivalGrand Jury Prize - New American Cinema Competition
Golden Space Needle Award- Best Actor
Deauville American Film FestivalGrand Prix
Nashville Film FestivalGrand Jury Prize - New Director
Fayetteville Film FestivalBest Narrative Feature
Philadelphia Film FestivalArchie Award- Best First Feature
Munich Film FestivalBest Film by an Emerging Director
Buffalo International Film FestivalBest Feature Narrative
Athens Film FestivalBest Picture
Heartland Film FestivalGrand Prize - Narrative Feature

Independent Spirit Awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Horton. H. Perry. Short(s) of the Day: A New Triptych of Films from Jim Cummings. 28 June 2017. Film School Rejects. 9 October 2020.
  2. Web site: Rubin. Rebecca. Vanishing Angle Sets Jim Cummings Thriller 'The Beta Test' as Next Film (Exclusive). 24 June 2020. Variety. 9 October 2020.
  3. Web site: Winfrey. Graham. How One Sundance Short Led to a $150,000 Production Deal (and Much More). 14 July 2017. IndieWire. 9 October 2020.
  4. Web site: gayne. Zach. Interview: Jim Cummings Takes Hold on Thunder Road. 21 July 2016. Screen Anarchy. 9 October 2020.
  5. Web site: Sarachan. Risa. Independent Filmmaker Jim Cummings On How Filmmakers Can Create And Distribute Without Help. 3 January 2019. Forbes. 9 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Swope. Michelle. Interview – Director Jim Cummings on the Hair-Raising Creature Effects in The Wolf of Snow Hollow and Working With the Legendary Robert Forster. 8 October 2020 . Dread Central. 9 October 2020.
  7. Web site: Means. Sean P.. For director of 'Wolf of Snow Hollow,' filming a werewolf movie in Utah was like 'winter summer camp'. 9 October 2020. The Salt Lake Tribune. 9 October 2020.
  8. Web site: Thompson. Simon. Jim Cummings Talks 'The Wolf Of Snow Hollow' And Making Movie Magic On A Budget. 7 October 2020. Forbes. 9 October 2020.
  9. Web site: Hermanns. Grant. CS Interview: Writer/Director/Star Jim Cummings on The Wolf of Snow Hollow. 9 October 2020. Comingsoon.net. 9 October 2020.
  10. Web site: Cavanaugh. Patrick. The Last Stop in Yuma County Star Jim Cummings Talks Finding the Right Tone for the Neo-Noir. May 6, 2024. Comicbook.com. May 6, 2024.
  11. Web site: Richards. Olly. 'Thunder Road' director Jim Cummings: 'I failed for so many years'. 28 May 2019. Time Out. 9 October 2020.
  12. Web site: Nicholson. Tom. How To Make The Year's Funniest, Saddest And Cheapest Indie Film. 28 May 2019. Esquire. 9 October 2020.
  13. Web site: Award-winning Thunder Road Plays at Emerson LA. Emerson Today. 27 April 2018. August 18, 2022.
  14. Web site: 2016-07-21 . Interview: Jim Cummings Takes Hold on THUNDER ROAD . 2024-02-15 . ScreenAnarchy.
  15. Web site: Haring. Bruce. SXSW Film Festival Jury Awards: 'Thunder Road' By Jim Cummings Wins Narrative. 13 March 2018. Deadline Hollywood. 9 October 2020.
  16. Web site: Lewis. Hilary. Independent Spirit Awards: 'Eighth Grade,' 'First Reformed' Among Best Feature Nominees. 16 November 2018. The Hollywood Reporter. 9 October 2020.
  17. Web site: Goldberg. Matt. 'We the Animals', 'Eighth Grade', and 'You Were Never Really Here' Lead Independent Spirit Awards. 16 November 2018. Collider. 9 October 2020.
  18. Stephan. Katcy. Jim Cummings, PJ McCabe and Thomas Cross Launch Cool & Happy Production Studio (EXCLUSIVE). March 28, 2024. Variety. May 6, 2024.