Jason Silverman has worked in various capacities since 1991, including festival director, curator, filmmaker, and writer. He began his career at the Telluride Film Festival, where he has worked as a consultant for 30 years, and also produced films such as Shameless and Olympia.
In 1995, Silverman co-founded the Taos Talking Picture Festival, which brought together scholars, artists, performers, and filmmakers to explore the impact of media on culture. The festival featured a range of events, including screenings, seminars, and performances, and attracted high-profile guests such as Howard Zinn, Susan Sarandon, and Elizabeth Taylor.
In 2001, Silverman co-founded the Native Cinema Showcase with Elizabeth Weatherford of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. The event showcased indigenous filmmakers and featured art installations, performances, and lectures.
Silverman became the director of the Cinematheque at Santa Fe's Center for Contemporary Arts in 2004, a position he held until 2020. During his tenure, the program expanded to feature new films from around the world, restored classics, and educational screenings for local students. The Cinematheque also partnered with local organizations and attracted a range of high-profile guests, including Laurie Anderson and Al Pacino.
In 2015, Silverman and his creative partner Samba Gadjigo completed the documentary Sembene!, which premiered at Sundance and Cannes and won numerous awards. The film was later released internationally and was named one of New York magazine's top ten films of the year.
Silverman has also worked on a range of other projects, including programs for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the KiMo Theater, and the Santa Fe Opera. He has also served as a producer, mentor, and editor, and has received several awards and honors for his work.
In 2020, Silverman became co-Executive Director of Upstate Films in the Hudson Valley, New York.
