We recently connected with Jaret Martino and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jaret, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I’ve been fortunate and endlessly grateful to be surrounded by so many meaningful projects and countless support from likeminded folks. Love Wins Productions, Distribution and Film Festival has allowed me to work directly with so many warriors. Through projects such an Inner Warrior, my Mother’s true story and now Feature Film, titled DONNA Stronger Than Pretty.
As a producer I’ve worked on over thirty social justice projects and partnered with over a dozen national and local nonprofit organizations. Being able to witness such an incredible amount of healing conversations in real time during production, or at a screening event has forever shaped who I am today. The bravest and strongest people I’ve ever met have been those that face their fear, and vulnerably shared their story. I thank each person who trusted me with their vision.
Besides my career, one of the most meaningful and life changing things I’ve ever done was volunteer at a Children’s Hospital. I’ll never forget the bravery and heart each child had during some of life’s darkest moments. To see the children smile and choose strength was something I carry with me through all I’ve been able to accomplish. Children are such a beautiful gift and brighten and lighten up the day. We all have so much to learn from them, and they are great reminders to get back, heal and celebrate our inner child.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
From age six I knew I wanted to be an Actor, and from there I’ve had some really incredible experiences and opportunities. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that happens when choosing the Artists path. Bravery and strength of your mind must be sharpened each day, and an Acting class alone does not cut it. Immersing yourself into your own relationship of self awareness and love is first and foremost. Once rooted into who you are and why being an Artist is important to you, the possibilities are endless. Throughout the years I sought out top coaches to work with privately and in class settings. From Larry Moss, Gary Austin (The Groundlings Founder), Elizabeth Kemp, Lee Strasberg Institute and so many more. I always place importance on education, and equally as important diving into learning new skill sets and using your creative mind and hands in new creative ways.
Over the past decade as a Creative Director and Founder of Love Wins Productions, Distribution and Film Festival we have accomplished many important projects such as Driven The Documentary, DONNA Stronger Than Pretty, The Worst Day of My Life (bullying awareness film) and many more!
When creating the Love Wins streaming distribution platform and Film Festival, it was important to me to fix what I felt both experiences lacked. We have the most transparent Distribution deal for filmmakers around. Where each filmmaker keeps 100% of their profits for every pay per view that occurs.
After being accepted into hundreds of festivals worldwide, I felt and saw what was missing. While it is nice to receive recognition. I really wanted filmmakers, screenwriters and Artists to walk away with something tangible and create a memorable experience besides just a screening event.
Our live events are held in Arthouse Cinemas from New York to Los Angeles and each venue is equipped with 4k projection that runs on DCP only, and a high quality surround sound system. Our Cinema team works hard to ensure that each file received is converted over at the highest quality. Each festival has live performances, table reads and important Q&A’s and panel discussions.
For each event we help the filmmakers create partnerships with nonprofits that align with their films message. Often times advocates are then sent to the event to be an educational voice that can help add to the conversation and table at the event to provide resources and share details surrounding life saving programs.
I know first hand how powerful these conversations are, as I sat on a panel for my own Film at Guild Hall, along with twelve domestic violence survivors following the screening of the Feature Film I wrote, produced and directed, titled DONNA #StrongerThanPretty, which surrounds my Mother’s true story.
DONNA is streaming everywhere you buy and rent movies. Turning pain into positive is often times not easy, however when a room is filled with like-minded people that share a common goal and experience it’s truly remarkable how transformative these events are!
I’m incredibly proud of The Love Wins International Film Festival and Voices Rising. Both events focus on Women’s empowerment, LGBTQIA+, diversity and inclusion and health and wellness messages. Voices Rising is specifically for underrepresented Filmmakers/Screenwriters and Artists. Submission for each festival are exclusively on FilmFreeway.com
I’m also excited to turn some attention back to my own Acting career once the strike is settled and in the meantime have been creating various projects and finding new ways to stay busy creatively.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Creating awareness for subjects deserving attention and Turning Pain Into Positive is the mission behind my creative jounrey.
I’ve been fortunate and endlessly grateful to be surrounded by so many meaningful projects and countless support from likeminded folks.
Love Wins Productions, Distribution and Film Festival has allowed me to work directly with so many warriors. Through projects such an Inner Warrior, DONNA #StrongerThanPretty, which is based on my Mother’s true story, The Worst Day Of My Life (Petito Family Anti-Bullying Film), Worlds Apart (Trans Rights), and many more! We have in person Film Festivals run every October and May, that focus on Women’s Empowerment, LGBTQIA+, Diversity and Inclusion and Health and Wellness messages. Despite All…Love Always Wins and #VoicesRising
As a producer I’ve worked on over thirty social justice projects and partnered with over a dozen national and local nonprofit organizations. Being able to witness such an incredible amount of healing conversations in real time during production, or at a screening event has forever shaped who I am today. The bravest and strongest people I’ve ever met have been those that face their fear, and vulnerably shared their story. I thank each person who trusted me with their vision.
Besides my career, one of the most meaningful and life changing things I’ve ever done was volunteer at a Children’s Hospital. I’ll never forget the bravery and heart each child had during some of life’s darkest moments. To see the children smile and choose strength was something I carry with me through all I’ve been able to accomplish. Children are such a beautiful gift and brighten and lighten up the day. We all have so much to learn from them, and they are great reminders to get back, heal and celebrate our inner child. This experience also showed me strength comes in a multitude of ways and even when a human is faced with life’s sometimes dark challenges, there’s still light, strength, laughter and light to be found.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
When I first started to get on the other side of the camera, and took on the enormous role of “Producer”, I did so alongside Roman Dent. An incredibly talented, sensitive and remarkable Director and human. In many ways we were still kids with a dream. Living in Hollywood, yet laser focused on finding the truth, embracing the most vulnerable, and championing tough subject matters.
Artists have a special way of moving through this world. Roman made a lifelong impact on me and this world through his talent and equally important his good intentions, soul and heart.
We met on the set of @raquelxcastro “Diary” music video shoot. I was impressed by his eye, and as we got to know each other a friendship and natural collaboration began.
We formed “Martino Dent Creative”, and produced “Driven The Doc”, “Bellz Angels”, “Ladybug”.
Roman loved to get to the truth and heart of things, and I have so much admiration for how he could tell a story. In life through his fun loving spirit and through his Art was threads of the depth of his heart and being. He truly cared for everyone around him and was able to captivate the unseen. He knew that I saw him at his core. The ways he was able to evoke emotions through the myriad of subtleties that make good Art. It’s a gift and an energy I was happy to pour into.
As a creative team we grew tremendously personally and professionally. Our sets were always fun and stayed connected to the larger mission.
Roman was a brother in many ways. We challenged each other, wanted the best for one another, and always knew there was really special magic we were able to create. “It was some of life’s best times” as Roman would often reflect on when we caught up. And to that I couldn’t agree more. The experiences and memories are unforgettable and you my friend will remain in my heart, prayers and I know they’ll be a day we meet again and I know you’ll be cracking jokes like you always did. Till we meet again my friend. Your spirit will continue to influence how I choose to show up in this world. Rest In Peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lovewinsproductions.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaretmartino
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaretMartino/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaretmartino/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaretMartino
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JaretMartino
Image Credits
©Annmarie Bain of imageAMB.com @the_imageamb ©Jaret Martino ©Stronger Than Pretty LLC ©Love Wins Productions, Distribution, FilmFestival ©Plaza Cinema And Media Arts Center