Thomas Cardwell

Thom Cardwell began organizing film festivals as a college student. He continued offering film programs to students during his 20 years as assistant headmaster in private secondary education, with a focus upon documentary films and genres such as horror, silent, Dracula, mystery, the western, classic romance and Hollywood masterpieces.

In 1990, he was among the founding volunteers of the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF) alongside Raymond Murray, current artistic director of PFS, Claire Brown Kohler, vice president of TLA Entertainment Group, and John Herzins, deputy commissioner of public property, City of Philadelphia, current board of directors of the Philadelphia Film Society.

In 1999, he assumed the position of managing director of PIGLFF and, in 2000, the director of development and special events for the 10th Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema. In 2001, he was named the managing director of both the Philadelphia Film Festival in April and the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in July.

He currently serves as the managing director of the Philadelphia Film Society.

While his graduate education centered on literature and writing, his studies included film appreciation and film history at Fordham University, The New School and Villanova University, where he specialized in international film and film of the uncanny.

His work experience also includes writing, fundraising, marketing, public relations, event planning and community outreach with volunteers, business, education and other non-profits.

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