Entertainment Producing Collective JACK Earns Continued Festival Success with Award-Winning Short Films

Earlier this year, LOSSED earned the prestigious ‘Award of Merit’ from The Best Shorts Film Competition, recognizing exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. LOSSED is an all JACK production, directed by member Carlos Carrasco, written and starring member Annette Reid alongside fellow member Jens Kohler. The dramatic story follows two friends experiencing a surprising role reversal while facing an emotional crisis. Previously, LOSSED was recognized as an ‘Official Selection’ of both the California Women's Film Festival and the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (LAIFF).

LET ME FINISH first gained notoriety in December 2014, earning JACK their first ‘Award of Merit’ from The Best Shorts Film Competition. Also directed by Panamanian JACK member Carrasco, LET ME FINISH stars Mark Bramhall and JACK member Kent Minault as two lonely, old gentlemen discovering a new way to connect the past with the present. The film recently entertained audiences, screening at the 21st annual Independent Filmmakers Showcase (IFS) Film Festival in Beverly Hills.

JACK’s first film outing was the dramatic short, HONEST, PENCIL, ROSE, which chronicles the shifting relationship between a daughter and her aging father. Written by Rochelle Newman, the film starred JACK (Jens, Annette, Carlos & Kent) and was helmed by the group’s resident director Carrasco.

The Los Angeles based ensemble was established by four performing artists who came together to collaborate on creative works in theatre, film, poetry and more. These four individuals include: Jens Kohler (the "J"), Annette Reid (the "A"), Carlos Carrasco (the "C") and Kent Minault (the "K"). JACK’s live performances include an evening of poetry entitled “Gallop Apace: Poems of Love and Relationships,” a reading of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” and a reading of “Euthyphro” from Plato’s “The Trial of Socrates,” which also traveled to Portland as part of the “It’s All Greek To Me” Festival, in cooperation with the Classic Greek Theatre of Oregon. JACK is currently in development on a new short film, a documentary project and a touring version of “John Brown's Body” to address the issue of Black Lives Matter.

JACK is a project of the EMERGE program of the Pasadena Arts Council.

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