Josh Hyde

Josh Hyde (Born March 13, 1979) is an American writer, director and independent filmmaker. His films, including the award winning short Chicle, have traveled the world over, achieving critical acclaim at such respected film festivals as Berlin International and Tribecca International. Hyde is known for his personal, character driven narratives that often explore the themes of cultural identity and global politics; a likely result of his own bi-racial identity as an American-Filipino filmmaker. Hyde currently resides in the New York borough of Brooklyn.

Background and Education

Josh Hyde was born on March 13th, 1979 to an American father and Filipino immigrant mother in St. Louis, Missouri. The second of three children, Hyde was raised in Carbondale, Illinois, naturally excelling in foreign language and the arts.

After graduating from Southern Illinois University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Photography, Josh left the U.S. for Cusco, Peru, where he directed "Despacho", a documentary examining the cultural exchange between western medicine and indigenous Peruvian shamanistic techniques. Upon his return, Hyde moved to Chicago, IL where he interned with the prestigious Kartemquin Films and was introduced to his mentor, Steve James ("Hoop Dreams, Stevie, The New Americans, The Reel Paradise".) There he worked as a translator on "The New Americans", and began writing the screenplay for "Chicle Y Postales." [

In 2003 Hyde entered the MFA program at Ohio University, working closely under acclaimed Croatian director/producer, Rajko Grlic("Border Post, Josephine, Caruga, Sretno Dijete"). In the summer of 2004 Hyde returned to Cusco to shoot the short film version of his feature length script, entitled "Chicle". To date the short film has played in festivals the world over, including: Tribeca Int’l, Hamptons Int’l, Berlin Int’l, Mill Valley, Vladviostock Int’l, Brisbane Int’l, Black Mariah, Chicago Int’l, Zimbabwe Int’l, and Athens Int’l. Its honesty and innocence resonates strongly with both American and International audiences, consequently landing itself in the Korean National Film Archive, where it is viewed as an example of excellence in film textbooks and curriculum. ["Finance Vs. Goodwill," Screen Magazine]

After receiving his MFA, Josh moved to New York City where he continues to make films on both a national and international scale.

Josh Hyde is also the pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church, in Sylva, NC.

Current Projects

Josh Hyde has currently completed his latest film, "Last Man Standing", a documentary that chronicles the life of up and coming alt-folk musician Drew Landry.

“Five years ago, Drew Landry had scarcely picked up a guitar, but the truth and authenticity of his songs are generations old. Born into the heart of Southwest Louisiana’s Cajun Country, Landry was raised amid the pressures of poverty, divorce, child abuse, illness, and a culture vanishing before his eyes. Through it all he has stubbornly persisted, using his hard-hitting past and deep-rooted culture as fuel for his poignant lyricism.

Through an intimate, cinema verite style, Last Man Standing chronicles three years of Landry’s life as he struggles to follow his “calling” in the wake of family pressures, failed business ventures and the unexpected tragedy of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Though he claims “he’s just telling his stories,” it’s clear that his songs offer a therapeutic voice to one of the most historically disenfranchised parts of the American landscape.

Regardless of his critical acclaim, modest record sales and performances alongside distinguished musicians such as Dwight Yoakum and Hank Williams III, it proves to be a long road to “success” for Landry, and despite his ambition, he is a man riddled with contradiction. At times, he is a dedicated family man, spending his days working in the Atchafalaya Basin and rebuilding his homeland after the storms, while at others he is self-centered and ruthlessly independent, seeming to forget the power of his words as he wrestles with his own ego.

His greatest battle comes as he departs on an impulsive tour of the West Coast, where he loses his band on the first gig and spends the remaining weeks coasting on fumes from show to show. As gas prices soar and record deals are made and broken, a diverse cast of musicians share their stories and experiences, painting a vibrant picture of the lonely horseman against the backdrop of the American West.

Back home, still wary of the music industry and unwilling to compromise his artistic vision, Landry once again decides to do it on his own. With a guitar on his knee, a hand full of friends, and an abundance of faith, Drew proves that sometimes success is simply a matter of being the last man standing.”

In the Fall of 2008, Hyde plans to return once again to Cusco, for the much anticipated filming of his feature length script "Chicle Y Postales", and its subsequent release that Spring.

Awards and Honors

"Chicle"

Tribecca International

Berlin International

Hamptons International (Best Student Short)

Chicago International (Best Short, Gold Hugo)

Black Mariah (Director’s Choice Award)

Vladviostock International

Urban International

Zimbabwe International

Athens International

Filmography

"Despacho" (2004)

"Chicle" (2005)

"Last Man Standing" (2008)

"Chicle Y Postales" (2008)

External links

LoFu Productions [http://www.lofuproductions.com]

Josh Hyde [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1862224/] at the Internet Movie Database

Screen Mag [http://www.screenmag.tv/feature.aspx?fid=562]

References

"Finance Vs. Goodwill" -Screen Magazine [http://www.http://www.screenmag.tv/feature.aspx?fid=562]