Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Neibich Nybyk.
Hi Joseph, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Talk about going from humble beginning to making a world wide impact.
It all started with a rented church banquet hall, a borrowed projector, and a deep desire to share stories of hope, redemption, and purpose. Stories with a higher purpose. Frustrated by the lack of platforms for faith-driven filmmakers, I launched a modest one-day film screening in my hometown—never imagining the ripple it would create.
With each passing year, the festival grew, fueled by community support, passionate storytellers, and a clear vision: to showcase authentic, diverse, and inspiring faith-based films without judgment or cliche. We built strong relationships with filmmakers, welcomed audiences from all walks of life, and focused on quality and storytelling that resonated far beyond religious lines.
Soon, people took notice. What began as a local gathering transformed into one of the most respected and anticipated faith film festivals —celebrated not just for its values, but for its excellence in storytelling and inclusivity.
Today, our festival stands as a testament to the power of belief—not just in God, but believing in yourself and in the power of film to uplift, unite, and spark change.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a small film festival came with its fair share of challenges. From securing venues and convincing filmmakers to submit, to marketing on a shoestring budget and building an audience from scratch—it was a constant uphill climb. Without big sponsors or name recognition, every step required creativity, persistence, and a leap of faith. There were moments of doubt, logistical headaches, and nights wondering if anyone would show up. But with each setback came growth, and over time, those early struggles became the foundation of something lasting and meaningful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I started out as an actor when i heard there was an open call for Jerry Maguire in my hometown. So I just showed up and somehow got cast. One guy standing next to me went to the Julliard and another went to Berklee, two of the most respected music and acting schools in the world, and there I was without a day of training. They asked me where I went to school and I told them I was going to law school. I quickly went on to book three commercials that summer and decided to abandon any plans of going to law school to focus on acting. Thirty years later, I’m still booking work, but I always had a burning desire to make films with a higher purpose and while there are a lot of great film festivals out there, there just isn’t a great one that focuses on faith. So i wanted to give that to the world.
We aren’t as big as we want to be yet, but we soon will be.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding mentors is easy. You start by jumping in and getting started and doing good work and reaching out to anyone and everyone who could possible help. If you are doing good work, good people will want to work with you. So put yourself out there, and when good people see what you are up to, they’ll support you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://internationalfaithfilmfestival.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilmfestival
