Chair Chats: Josh Porter

This fall, Cliff Crull and I launched the first Nitty Gritty Film Festival in Ponca City, Oklahoma. We hosted it at the iconic Poncan Theatre—a perfect home for our scrappy, heart-first festival.

Every step along the way, especially the tough ones (and there were plenty), shaped both the festival and us.

All that grit became something real on festival day. Watching filmmakers take over the theatre and seeing the audience come alive felt like the true culmination of our efforts.

It wasn’t flawless, but it was ours—and it was alive.

What’s Next: Reflecting on Launch

Now that the dust has settled, we’re not slowing down. On December 26th, we’re hosting NGFF: Rewind to Launch at OFX to celebrate our first-year highlights and set the stage for what comes next.

Why Share This?

Being part of a festival community means knowing the work it takes to create spaces where filmmakers can thrive. Sharing our story here reconnects our spark to a larger fire—and reminds us that every festival began with a simple “What if?”

We asked it. And we’re still answering it.

If you’re thinking about starting your own festival or building something meaningful, know this: it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.