Jason Tostevin is an accomplished American filmmaker, screenwriter, film festival director, and founder of Hands Off Productions, a renowned boutique studio recognized globally for its impressive collection of short genre films.
Jason graduated with honors from The Ohio State University, earning a degree in English. Prior to his career in filmmaking, he worked as a leader in brand, communications, and marketing for various agencies and Fortune 100 businesses.
A long-time fiction writer, Jason made the transition to writing and directing short films in 2009, starting with thriller, horror, and documentary shorts for sprint contests. In 2010, he directed the fantasy short "Stones," which was selected for the final international best-of list and DVD for the 48 Hour Film Project, and was showcased in a special screening during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, he starred in his first three shorts.
In 2011, Jason created and co-developed the broadcast television series The Screen, which aired for a six-episode season in Columbus before being syndicated on PBS stations across the country. He has also directed commercials, corporate videos, and championship short films, but his true passion remains genre movies.
Jason has directed and produced a series of festival-hit short genre films, including the horror comedy 'Til Death, Twilight Zone-thriller I Owe You, crime drama A Way Out, and horror comedy Born Again. His short screenplays have garnered numerous awards and nominations, including Dead Sprint, which earned over 30 accolades, including best screenplay at the Mile High Horror Film Festival and a top 10 finish at Fresh Voices.
In 2016, Jason co-founded Nightmares Film Festival, a celebration of "Better Horror," which has been hailed as "the Cannes of horror" by iHorror and "among the best genre festivals anywhere" by Bloody Disgusting. The festival has consistently been rated as FilmFreeway's top-rated genre festival for over 30 consecutive months.
Jason has established himself as a leader in the independent film industry, speaking at festivals and presenting film circuit insights through his "#BetterFesting" live broadcasts. In 2017, film site Cinema Runner named him independent horror's "most influential short-film maker," recognizing his impact on "changing the face of indie horror shorts and elevating horror expectations."
He has been inducted into two filmmaking halls of fame, one as a director and one as a producer. The best of the festival award at Austin Revolution Film Festival is named "The Tostevin" in his honor.
Jason resides in Ohio with his wife, two daughters, and their half-pitbull, Milo.
