Michael Jones was born in the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, a place that would later influence his path in life. He went on to graduate from the prestigious New York University, a institution that would provide him with the foundation for his future success.
After completing his education, Jones landed a role as the Managing Editor of Filmmaker Magazine, a position that would allow him to utilize his skills and knowledge in the film industry. During his time at the magazine, he made a name for himself as a talented and dedicated editor, eventually being promoted to the role of Executive Editor of indieWIRE.
Jones's talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and he was later selected as a fellow of the MacDowell Colony, an esteemed artist colony that provides a unique opportunity for creatives to focus on their craft. He attended the colony in both 2000 and 2003, an experience that would likely have a profound impact on his work and perspective.
As his career continued to flourish, Jones was chosen as one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine, a testament to his hard work and dedication to the industry. However, his journey was not without its challenges, and during the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, Jones found himself taking on a new role as the Managing Editor of Film Festivals for Variety.
In this position, he was responsible for providing coverage of film festivals and industry events, a task that required his expertise and attention to detail. His work at Variety did not go unnoticed, and he was later promoted to the independent film beat, a position that allowed him to focus on the films and filmmakers that he was most passionate about.
In addition to his work at Variety, Jones also maintained a blog called The Circuit, a platform that allowed him to share his thoughts and insights on the film industry with a wider audience. He also served as a festival correspondent for Sunday Morning Shootout on AMC TV, a position that provided him with the opportunity to share his knowledge and expertise with a national audience.