About Us
Since 1998, Passion River Films has been devoted to acquiring, distributing and representing unique independent films and documentaries. Our award winning and festival favorite features have made their home on shelves of various notable film libraries and institutions. Our deep catalog represents films on nearly every topic including Multicultural Studies, Women’s Studies, Medical Studies and Advances, Religious and Spiritual studies, Environmentalism, Aging, Drug Addiction, Gay/Lesbian/Transgender, etc.
Passion River Films is a film distribution company specializing in releasing films that engage with audiences and impact communities. We handle distribution to theaters, VOD, home video, and to academic and digital markets. Passion River's uniquely diverse catalog features Academy Award and Emmy-winning films as well as films that have been recognized at Independent Spirit Awards, Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Tribeca Film Festival and many other prestigious events.
Want to know more about our awesome team? See below for our bios.
Passion River Films is a film distribution company specializing in releasing films that engage with audiences and impact communities. We handle distribution to theaters, VOD, home video, and to academic and digital markets. Passion River's uniquely diverse catalog features Academy Award and Emmy-winning films as well as films that have been recognized at Independent Spirit Awards, Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Tribeca Film Festival and many other prestigious events.
Want to know more about our awesome team? See below for our bios.
ALLEN CHOU
PRESIDENT
Allen Chou is President and owner of Passion River Films, an independent film distribution company specializing in the release of films and documentaries that engage with audiences. Passion River handles distribution to theaters, VOD, home video, and libraries in public, academic and digital markets. Allen manages a diverse catalog featuring Academy Award and Emmy-winning films and directors as well as films that have been recognized at festivals such as: Hot Docs, Sundance, SXSW, Berlin, Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca and many other prestigious events. 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.
MAT LEVY
Senior Director OF SALES & acquisitions
Mat Levy has worked with Passion River Films since 2004. Having a background in Film and TV publicity, Mat has worked with film campaigns for New Line Cinema, Sony Pictures Classics, Magnolia Pictures, Warner Independent, and Picturehouse. He has also worked with producers from VH1 and MTV on promotion and development. Mat attends most major markets and film festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, AFM, and Hot Docs; as well as national retail and library trade shows including: National Media Market, Ingram Entertainment, Alliance Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, CTAM, and the American Library Association. Mat attended the University of Hartford and received a BA in Cinema Studies.
jen coolidge
Operations coodinator
Jen has a bachelors degree in Marketing from John Carroll University. She joined the team from Ohio in October 2014. Her previous jobs gave her skills in sales as well as distribution which has helped her exceed within the operation department. Without having a large background in film, she has enjoyed learning more about the film industry and is working on furthering her knowledge in the subject. While not at Passion River, she enjoys spending time in her new home with her dog Riley and boyfriend Mike. She also enjoys hanging out with friends, playing golf, exercising and spending time with her family.
Kimberly Balao
educational outreach coordinator
Kimberly graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Rutgers University. She started working as an intern for Passion River in 2015 and quickly grew to love Independent Film & Documentaries.
danielle gruskiewicz
distribution coordinator
Danielle has a Bachelor's degree in Theatre from Seton Hall University. Prior to coming to Passion River, she worked for several different theatre public relations firms and casting offices. In her free time you can find Danielle binge watching something on Netflix with her kitty, Sammy. She feels honored to be able to work with such daring and talented filmmakers at Passion River. Always remember, “take your broken heart, make it into art!”
