About Us
Since 1998, our team has been devoted to acquiring, distributing and representing unique independent films and documentaries. We are your source for award-winning films that will enrich your catalog and impact your community, patrons and faculty.
Interested in expanding your catalog or curriculum? Our features have made their home on shelves of various notable film libraries and institutions. Some of our film topics include Multicultural Studies, Women’s Studies, Medical Studies and Advances, Religious and Spiritual studies, Environmentalism, Aging, Drug Addiction, Gay/Lesbian/Transgender, etc.
Since 1998, our team has been devoted to acquiring, distributing and representing unique independent films and documentaries. We are your source for award-winning films that will enrich your catalog and impact your community, patrons and faculty.
Interested in expanding your catalog or curriculum? Our features have made their home on shelves of various notable film libraries and institutions. Some of our film topics include Multicultural Studies, Women’s Studies, Medical Studies and Advances, Religious and Spiritual studies, Environmentalism, Aging, Drug Addiction, Gay/Lesbian/Transgender, etc.
ALLEN CHOU, PRESIDENT
Allen Chou is President and owner of Passion River Films. In 2005, he established a distribution partnership with Netflix, resulting in over 200 titles released on their site. Allen has placed titles into accounts such as: Blockbuster, Hastings, Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Walmart, Netflix Streaming, Hulu, & more. Allen Chou also manages the in-house social media marketing department and serves on the adjunct faculty at New York University teaching film marketing and distribution courses. He is a frequent speaker, panel moderator, and instructor on distribution and social media marketing at film festivals, industry conferences and universities. Allen attended New York University and received his BA in Radio,TV,Film from the University of Maryland.
Email Allen: Allen@PassionRiver.com
Allen Chou is President and owner of Passion River Films. In 2005, he established a distribution partnership with Netflix, resulting in over 200 titles released on their site. Allen has placed titles into accounts such as: Blockbuster, Hastings, Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Walmart, Netflix Streaming, Hulu, & more. Allen Chou also manages the in-house social media marketing department and serves on the adjunct faculty at New York University teaching film marketing and distribution courses. He is a frequent speaker, panel moderator, and instructor on distribution and social media marketing at film festivals, industry conferences and universities. Allen attended New York University and received his BA in Radio,TV,Film from the University of Maryland.
Email Allen: Allen@PassionRiver.com
JOSH LEVIN, DIRECTOR OF SALES & ACQUISITIONS
Josh Levin brings the perfect mix of experience to the role; having been a film distribution executive, documentary film producer and art house cinema operator in his career in the industry, as well as a professor of film distribution, marketing and finance at New York University and American University in Washington, DC. With that range of expertise, Josh is the ideal partner to help you navigate the waters of getting your film into theaters and putting butts in seats!
Josh spent three years as the Chief Marketing Officer at Film Movement, the New York-based art house cinema distributor, where he created and managed marketing, advertising and publicity campaigns for over 25 feature films released to the theatrical, festival, institutional, home video and television markets. Projects Josh worked on included films from stars such as Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ellen Page, Sandra Oh and Rose Byrne, and top award-nominated directors Deepa Mehta, Joseph Cedar and Scott Hamilton Kennedy.
As a filmmaker, Josh has produced or executive produced five documentary features, including CORMAN'S WORLD: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (Sundance and Cannes, 2011, national theatrical release, broadcast by A&E) and CAPE SPIN: An American Power Struggle (IDFA 2011, Film at Lincoln Center Art of the Real November 2012, platform theatrical release, broadcast rights purchased by Sundance Network).
In 2010, Josh returned to his home town of Washington, DC and opened West End Cinema, named Washington, DC's Best Independent Movie Theater by Washington City Paper and maker of the Best Popcorn in DC (according to TBD.com). West End Cinema specialized in the kinds of art house fare that found audiences through grassroots and retail marketing, elbow grease and passion.
Email Josh: Josh@PassionRiver.com
Josh spent three years as the Chief Marketing Officer at Film Movement, the New York-based art house cinema distributor, where he created and managed marketing, advertising and publicity campaigns for over 25 feature films released to the theatrical, festival, institutional, home video and television markets. Projects Josh worked on included films from stars such as Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ellen Page, Sandra Oh and Rose Byrne, and top award-nominated directors Deepa Mehta, Joseph Cedar and Scott Hamilton Kennedy.
As a filmmaker, Josh has produced or executive produced five documentary features, including CORMAN'S WORLD: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (Sundance and Cannes, 2011, national theatrical release, broadcast by A&E) and CAPE SPIN: An American Power Struggle (IDFA 2011, Film at Lincoln Center Art of the Real November 2012, platform theatrical release, broadcast rights purchased by Sundance Network).
In 2010, Josh returned to his home town of Washington, DC and opened West End Cinema, named Washington, DC's Best Independent Movie Theater by Washington City Paper and maker of the Best Popcorn in DC (according to TBD.com). West End Cinema specialized in the kinds of art house fare that found audiences through grassroots and retail marketing, elbow grease and passion.
Email Josh: Josh@PassionRiver.com
BRIAN COOK, MARKETING COORDINATOR
JESSICA CONROY, DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR
Jessica has worked with Passion River as the Distribution Coordinator since 2019. She handles each title in the Passion River catalogue to assemble film packages and execute successful new releases in the public, academia and digital markets. Attentive to each film's success, Jess assists the Marketing team with the direct mail campaigns and other marketing efforts. In 2017, Jess earned her BA in Television and Digital Media at Montclair State University, where she discovered her passion for the film industry. Prior to her career at Passion River, Jess was a Talent Coordinator and substitute teacher at the Barbizon Studio for Acting and Modeling in Manhattan.
In addition to her responsibilities as the Distribution Coordinator, Jess is the Acquisitions Manager, she reviews potential or proposed film acquisitions to ensure that they are a good fit for the Passion River catalogue. The Acquisitions and Sales team is developing an internationally recognized reputation for helping filmmakers reach their audiences and impact communities across the globe. As a member of this team, Jess enjoys working with independent filmmakers who aim to push social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic boundaries with their work.
Email Jess: Jessica@PassionRiver.com
In addition to her responsibilities as the Distribution Coordinator, Jess is the Acquisitions Manager, she reviews potential or proposed film acquisitions to ensure that they are a good fit for the Passion River catalogue. The Acquisitions and Sales team is developing an internationally recognized reputation for helping filmmakers reach their audiences and impact communities across the globe. As a member of this team, Jess enjoys working with independent filmmakers who aim to push social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic boundaries with their work.
Email Jess: Jessica@PassionRiver.com
VANESSA BETHEA, OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Vanessa has worked with Passion River Films for over 3 years in the Operations Department. She graduated Rutgers University with a BA in Journalism & Media Studies and Business Administration. She is also a House Manager for the New Jersey Film Festival where she assists with screenings and reviews film submissions. Vanessa has always had a love for film and appreciates working for a company that is dedicated to creativity & storytelling.
Email Vanessa: Vanessa_Bethea@PassionRiver.com
Email Vanessa: Vanessa_Bethea@PassionRiver.com
