Tom Garrett is a producer of independent feature films and a founding partner of Circa Films, a sales and distribution company involved in production and international distribution of independent feature films.
Over a 20-year period, Tom has been credited as a producer on 14 feature films. He has intimate knowledge of the legal and financial issues involved in feature film production, having produced, directed, and delivered films to the international marketplace.
Tom's films have screened at many prestigious film festivals worldwide, including Berlin, Cannes, Florence, Rotterdam, and Toronto. For two decades, he has played an active role with Circa Films at the Cannes Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, MIFED, and AFM-American Film Market.
Tom holds an M.F.A. from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts-Graduate Film program. He has worked as a line producer, unit production manager, and executive producer for several noted directors, including Academy Award winner Jean-Charles Tacchella and Alex Cox.
Tom has also worked with well-known producers such as Daniel Toscan du Plantier and Art Linson. He has been a part of numerous international co-productions and has worked with many film industry personalities, including distinguished cinematographers and respected actors.
Tom produced and directed Death Collector (1988),a sci-fi western apocalyptic film from a screenplay by John J. McLaughlin. The film has been called a "cult classic" by both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
In addition to his feature film career, Tom has worked as a producer and director for prominent advertising agencies and public relations firms, producing music videos for clients such as Run-D.M.C. and U2.
Tom and his late wife, Lee Morse, owned Best West Productions, a production service company that brought many feature films to the West Coast of Florida. Lee Morse was a producer and production coordinator.
Tom has taught film production at NYU - Tisch School of the Arts, State College of Florida, University of Tampa, and Sam Houston State University's College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. He is currently Chair in the Department of Communication, Film & Media Studies at The University of New Haven and coordinates a world-class program for students and media professionals at the Cannes Film Festival annually.