Tom Mattera's academic journey began at Temple University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. However, his passion for the arts led him to return to Temple for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Media Arts, further solidifying his creative foundation.
Not long after graduating, Tom made his feature film directorial debut with the critically acclaimed psychological drama, "The 4th Dimension". This ambitious project saw Tom take on multiple roles, including co-writer, co-director, co-producer, and co-editor. The film's impressive accolades include the Grand Jury Honorable Mention Award at the CineVegas International Film Festival and the NFL Films Technical Achievement Award at the Philadelphia International Film Festival in 2006.
"The 4th Dimension" went on to screen at 20 international film festivals across 8 countries, including the Montreal World Film Festival, the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film, and the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival. The film's success was further cemented with its distribution on DVD by TLA Releasing, and on VOD platforms such as Apple iTunes and Sony Playstation in 2008.
Tom's subsequent project, the suspense thriller "The Fields", saw him co-direct, co-produce, and co-edit alongside Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman and Tara Reid. Upon its debut on the festival circuit in 2011, "The Fields" won numerous awards, including Best Feature Film at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival and the Terror Film Festival, as well as Best Directors at the Erie Film Festival.
In 2012, "The Fields" was picked up for distribution by Breaking Glass Pictures, with a release date set for April 24th. This marked a significant milestone in Tom's career, solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile filmmaker.
In addition to his work in feature films, Tom has also co-founded Tree of Life Films with his wife Jennifer Mattera, a boutique film production company specializing in artistic wedding films. The company has produced commercial projects for Discover Magazine and LIQUENT, Inc., as well as music videos and live events.
Tom's freelance work has seen him take on various roles, including Director of Photography and co-editor for the short film "The Bardo", a psychological thriller. Throughout the years, he has worked on a diverse range of projects, from commercials and documentaries to music videos and live events.
