Jay Craven

Kingdom County Productions co-founder, Jay Craven, is an award-winning director, writer, and producer, whose narrative films include five films based on writing by Vermont novelist Howard Frank Mosher – “High Water” (1989); “Where the Rivers Flow North” (1993); “A Stranger in the Kingdom” (1997); “Disappearances” (2008) and “Northern Borders” (2013).His other narrative films include “In Jest” (1999); “The Year that Trembled” (2003); “Wetware” (2018); “Blood Brothers” (2021) and “Jack London’s Martin Eden” (2021) based on London’s autobiographical novel. Craven also directed, produced, and co-wrote the 2005 Emmy Award-winning public television comedy series, “Windy Acres,” along with four episodes of the “Queen City Radio Hour”-a comedy and music variety show performed before a live audience and broadcast over Vermont Public Radio. His documentaries include “Empty Stages” (2021); “Breaking the Silence” (2021); “After the Fog: Interviews with Combat Veterans” (2006); “Dawn of the People” (1984); and “Gayleen” (1985).Craven founded and directs the biennial Semester Cinema program (formerly Movies from Marlboro) where 25 professionals mentor and collaborate with 40 students from multiple colleges to make an ambitious narrative feature film for national release.Craven also founded and directed Catamount Arts (1975-91) in St. Johnsbury, VT and directed its wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary film and performing arts program. In 1987 he co-founded (with Rob Mermin) Circus Smirkus, America’s only touring youth circus. And from 1979 to 1991 he co-produced Don Sunseri’s G.R.A.C.E. project for older indigenous visual artists.Craven continues (2009 – present) to curate and produce performing arts events through the KCP Presents series in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. He also curates the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival and the Woodstock (VT) film series.